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Insurance question - rented appt, water damage
I rent an apartment. This week I came back from holidays and noticed some quite prominent water damage on the bathroom's ceiling. It's not leaking, but the area is moist. My question is who has to pay for the diagnostics/repairs / arrange them? Is it the owner, me or the person living above? I have household insurance which also burst pipes and water leaks, but if I claim under my own insurance they'd still charge my excess. Thanks!
You must first notify the owner and if the water is coming from above, then it is their responsibility to get it repaired. You would have to file a claim for any damage done to any of your possessions damage and the owner will also claim for any damage to his property (roof, walls etc)
Make all notifications by registered mail.
Notify your insurers and take their advice.
You only pay your excess if it is your insurers who pay out; if it's the responsibility of the person living above you, their insurers will foot the bill and it will cost you nothing.
It makes sense to notify the owner and the people upstairs but the insurers should take priority - you pay them a premium, let them advise you and do the work.
Contact your own insurers. They will assess who is responsible.
