Check how your water metre is installed
The faulty installation of a water metre can have serious implications.
The image shows how water metres should be fitted – with a good fix to the wall using the lugs on the metre.
- Only use a qualified and authorised installer
- Ensure that the water metre is permanently fixed to the suitable fixed surface. similar.
If you have a water metre installed please check that it has been fixed correctly.
Minor leaks between flats like a sink overflowing are quite common and rarely impact on our insurance. However if an insurance claim had been submitted for every leak in recent years, the insurance premium would have been significantly higher. To avoid any misunderstandings we now want to clarify what liabilities are for Lessees.
Under terms of our leases the uninsured excess is recoverable from the Lessee who is responsible, albeit accidentally in most cases, for any damage. This is in line with guidance from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Where water leaks emanating from one flat causes damage to another flat(s), the Managing Agent will:
- Arrange for an electrical safety check of the flat(s) into which the water has travelled,
- If necessary supply a dehumidifier to speed the drying process,
- In due course instruct a contractor to repair the affected areas. The total cost of these activities, or the value of the excess (£2,500), will be sought from the responsible party when the next service charge invoice is issued.
Repairing the leak itself is the responsibility of the Lessee of the source flat.
The rectification of damage to contents/possessions, as distinct from damage to fixed installations or decorative finishes, is not covered by the buildings insurance policy and falls outside of Belle Vue Court Freehold Company ltd obligations under the Lease. Lessees are therefore advised to make contents insurance arrangements as they deem necessary.
Carpets in common ways are included under the freeholders insurance and a claim could be made for damage, however carpets of private leaseholders’ flats are not. Wooden floors and lino are considered to be covered under a building insurers policy. This may sound illogical, but policies are set up on this basis.
Damage caused by a broken pipe, overflowing washing machine etc to the flat below, to electrics; paintwork and wallpaper, would form part of a typical buildings insurance claim.
Carpets in common ways are included under the freeholders insurance and a claim could be made for damage. However wooden floors and lino are considered to be covered under a building insurers policy. This may sound illogical, but policies are set up on this basis. Damage caused by a broken pipe, overflowing washing machine etc to the flat below, to electrics; paintwork and wallpaper, would form part of a typical buildings insurance claim.
Where the cause is a fault in the building or communal pipework (including pipes passing through a flat), the repair of the defect and damage to fixed installations or decorative finishes (but not to contents/possessions) will be funded from the service charge and, if appropriate, by means of an insurance claim.
Aviva currently provide our building insurance cover. They have published a helpful guide to preventing floods and water damage. Download the guide.