If there's a leak from a neighbouring flat

Summary

If the damage caused by the leak is an ‘emergency hazard’ under Awaab’s Law, your landlord must make your home safe within 24 hours. An emergency hazard is when something in your home needs fixing right away, because it could cause serious harm to you or anyone you live with. If your landlord can’t make your home safe quickly enough, they have to offer you somewhere else to live until the work is done. If the leak has caused damp and mould, check what you can do if you have damp or mould in your rented home. Your landlord only becomes responsible for repairing the damage when they know about it. In some cases, a private landlord might try to evict you rather than do repair work. Make sure you know if you're at risk of eviction before taking action. If your landlord isn't responsible for the leak, they won't be liable for any damage to your furniture or belongings. If the leak was caused by your neighbour being careless, for example, they left the bath to overflow, it's their responsibility to pay for the damaged belongings. If you have household contents insurance, you might be able to make a claim for your damaged belongings. You could also make a court claim against your.

Key information

• a housing association or the council
• If the damage caused by the leak is an ‘emergency hazard’ under Awaab’s Law, your landlord must make your home safe within 24 hours.
• An emergency hazard is when something in your home needs fixing right away, because it could cause serious harm to you or anyone you live with.
• If your landlord can’t make your home safe quickly enough, they have to offer you somewhere else to live until the work is done.
• You can find out more about hazards and what your landlord has to do on GOV.UK.
• If the leak has caused damp and mould, check what you can do if you have damp or mould in your rented home.
• Your landlord only becomes responsible for repairing the damage when they know about it.
• In some cases, a private landlord might try to evict you rather than do repair work. Make sure you know if you're at risk of eviction before taking action.
• Find out more about private tenants and the risk of eviction.
• If your landlord isn't responsible for the leak, they won't be liable for any damage to your furniture or belongings.
• If the leak was caused by your neighbour being careless, for example, they left the bath to overflow, it's their responsibility to pay for the damaged belongings.
• If you have household contents insurance, you might be able to make a claim for your damaged belongings.

Practical guidance

• Source: If there's a leak from a neighbouring flat

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