Ceiling leak from flat upstairs

[jasonn]

Hi all

I'm in dire need of some advice regarding a recent leakage from the flat above a shop I lease, here's what happened:

1. Main waste pipe from flat upstairs gets blocked, it keeps leaking sewage water in my shop for three days.
2. The airbnb landlord from flat upstairs and the management company for the building finally send plumbers out on the 3rd day to fix the problem, it takes only a few minutes to unblock the pipe.
3. The plumber says that the blockage/leak was not caused by the flat above me, but rather a block in the main pipe for the builder which resulted in water coming out of the loo of the flat and then leaking into my shop.

My question is who is responsible for my damages, such as cleaning costs, damaged stock/tools, damages to the ceiling and electrical wiring, and potential loss of income as we may be unable to open on Monday? I pay for building insurance to the management company, and I have my own content insurance, but since I have no experience with making claims I thought I'd seek some advice first, any tips/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Scot22]

In my unqualified opinion the water came from the flat above : therefore the responsibility for your damagr lies with the flat above. They can in turn due whoever is responsible for the pipe.
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will post soon.

[des8]

Duplicate thread

[Cinderella66]

Unless you can show negligence you need to claim on your insurance and the building insurance.