Water leak responsibility

[Jel1317]

The flat below mine has had water coming through the ceiling. There was no visible water in my flat, but after cutting through the wall in my flat the plumber has found that my kitchen waste pipe has come away from the main soil pipe.
I would have thought the situation was the responsibility of the management company for the building, as the soil pipe is shared by multiple properties, and the connection between that and my waste pipe is boxed into a wall, so I couldn’t have known there was an issue. But the management company say it is my responsibility as the waste pipe from my kitchen is mine alone. Are they right?

[atticus]

what are the respective responsibilities under your lease?

Have you notified your insurance company?

[Jel1317]

It says the demised premises includes all service media that exclusively serve the demised premises whether or not located therein. Is that the part that’s relevant? I could understand if it was just my waste pipe, but it’s where they join. I think their stance is that it’s a bracket that joins the 2 pipes that’s failed and they say that belongs to my pipe rather than the communal one. I’m trying to get a copy of the plumber’s report though…

I only have contents insurance, because I understand the buildings insurance is taken care of by the management company….