UK Landlord Forum / Life

There has been a massive leak from upstairs. The owner upstairs is refusing to take responsibility, despite the managing agents of the development claim it is the responsibility of them upstairs.

Apparantly, building insurance only kicks in if the repair costs over 500 gbp. Since this repair comes in slightly under, I have been advised I need to deal with this one on one with the owner upstairs. I live in Germany and so I can only phone, but my attempts to call have been fruitless.

I feel I should not be placed in this position. I am a leaseholder, surely the 'owner' or the person taking ground rent from me should be resolving this issue? Does anyone have a similar experience? Any advice? Thanks in advance

Ask the managing agent for a copy of the insurance policy - a summary will show who exactly is insured. If it states 'Lessee' then presumable it covers you being a Leaseholder. So this is maybe why they are telling you of the minimum 500 GBP threshold if that's what the insurance policy states.
If it doesn't say 'Lessee' on the policy then you can get your own buildings insurance and avoid further similar issues ..... However, I do not know the best way to resolve this now. Hopefully others will answer soon. It occurs to me that you may have to prepare to involve a solicitor for advice if the other owner will not cooperate.