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Original poster

Water in their bedroom, will we have to pay?

147 replies

Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:14

Holiday home next door to us, they come to stay in their house maybe 3/4 times per year.
They’ve arrived today for Easter and after we came back from a walk, called Dh to come inside. They had people with them with clipboards and cameras.
Dh has come back and said one of their bedrooms is all damp and soaked down the side of their wall. The other side of that wall is our en suite bathroom.

He wants us to check if it’s a burst water pipe, he had people there taken photos etc.
Nothing like this has ever happened before, will we need to pay for this? 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
ithinkitsadhd · 09/04/2022 20:16

That's what buildings insurance is for. I think it will be their policy but not sure. I think you are only liable if negligent.

mum11970 · 09/04/2022 20:17

Insurance should cover it if it does turn out to be a burst pipe on your side.

ithinkitsadhd · 09/04/2022 20:17

If you don't now fix leak that is negligent.

Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:19

@mum11970 Our insurance?

OP posts:
Silverclocks · 09/04/2022 20:19

I think if it's your leak you will be liable, but that's what your insurance is for.

TinySaltLick · 09/04/2022 20:20

As above - typically no, unless you were aware of an issue which you failed to remediate, their insurance will have to pay for them

Sucks for them but that's how it works. You do need to help the investigation though and fix if there is indeed an issue - but not the making good of their side

Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:22

What if it’s not a burst pipe/water leak?

I’m getting worried as Dd, 3, brushes her teeth by the small sink by the wall and often splashes water around, I’m forever putting towels down. Could that cause it? Would we have to pay?

For example, if it’s not shown to be a water leak/burst pipe, what happens then?

Are these things usually expensive? Worried as totally skint at the moment

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 09/04/2022 20:22

You’ll need to pay to remedy what is causing it (assuming it’s a leak from your en-suite, which seems probable) but not for the damage to their property which will be covered by their insurance.

TinySaltLick · 09/04/2022 20:23

No, your insurance policy covers your property - theirs will cover theirs

Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:24

They’ve also said we can’t use the water/flush the loo at night 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:25

@HeddaGarbled But If there’s no burst water pipe, what do we pay and to where 🤷🏻‍♀️
Sorry, I sound massively thick about this!

OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 09/04/2022 20:26

Do you have home insurance Op? If they come to you and ask you to pay then get in touch with your insurer for advice.

They should contact their own insurance company in the first place. Does anyone come and check the property regularly? There is often a requirement from insurance companies that unoccupied properties be visited partly so that problems like these don't go unresolved for months etc.

TinySaltLick · 09/04/2022 20:26

@Fortheloveofgodwhatnow

What if it’s not a burst pipe/water leak?

I’m getting worried as Dd, 3, brushes her teeth by the small sink by the wall and often splashes water around, I’m forever putting towels down. Could that cause it? Would we have to pay?

For example, if it’s not shown to be a water leak/burst pipe, what happens then?

Are these things usually expensive? Worried as totally skint at the moment

If there is a leak, then you need to fix the leak. If there is no leak - then you will probably be able to identify where the water is getting in. Splashing sounds unlikely, how much water is it? Is there a gap in the sealant around the tiles / sink?

A plumber will be able to advise if you can't work it out yourself, but you will need to pay to get it sorted unless it is an easy fix you can do yourself / are competent to do so

Glittertwins · 09/04/2022 20:26

I don't think they can really expect that.

Glittertwins · 09/04/2022 20:27

As in not to flush toilet at night.

SouthOfFrance · 09/04/2022 20:27

@Fortheloveofgodwhatnow

They’ve also said we can’t use the water/flush the loo at night 🤷🏻‍♀️
Why not? Because of the leak or because the noise disturbs them?
TinySaltLick · 09/04/2022 20:29

@Fortheloveofgodwhatnow

They’ve also said we can’t use the water/flush the loo at night 🤷🏻‍♀️
You are obviously within your rights to flush your toilet whenever you want, they have no control over this.

The only thing you need to do is investigate the leak and work out where the water is coming from. A plumber will be able to work this out for you - however it might require getting to the pipes which could necessitate for example taking some tiles off

If there is no leak, you can tell them as such - but if there is water on their side of the wall in all likelihood it should be reasonably easy to locate where it is coming from on your side

bloodywhitecat · 09/04/2022 20:30

I’m getting worried as Dd, 3, brushes her teeth by the small sink by the wall and often splashes water around, I’m forever putting towels down. Could that cause it?

Not unless she uses an industrial jet wash to clean her teeth and even then, no. No, splashing water around while cleaning teeth will not cause that kind of damage.

aliloandabanana · 09/04/2022 20:32

Stop worrying - you haven't been negligent as you weren't aware of a problem. Phone your insurance company and get their advice on what to do. Unless you can easily pinpoint the problem carry on as normal. They don't get to tell you not to flush your loo or use your bathroom!

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 09/04/2022 20:43

Would a burst pipe not affect your side of the wall as well? I just think you would have some issue somewhere in your house with a burst pipe (not that I'm a plumber or expert or anything 🤔)
How damp was the wall?
Do they not come to check the property in between the times they stay at the property?. A lot could happen in between their stays which sound as they are every 3 / 4 months.
We noticed the wall was wet in ny DC bedroom, turned out to be a problem with the roof in the loft. Could the cause be somewhere else?

LidlMiddleLover · 09/04/2022 20:43

@Fortheloveofgodwhatnow

They’ve also said we can’t use the water/flush the loo at night 🤷🏻‍♀️
Errrr That will be a ‘get stuffed’ then. Not use your loo or wash your hands because it doesn’t suit them Beyond ridiculous
scoobydoo1971 · 09/04/2022 20:47

Assuming you are on a water meter, switch off the stop tap at the roadside for one night and record the consumption. Check it again in the morning. Take a photo on your phone for onward complaints with the water company. This may identify the issue. Place a dehumidifier in the bathroom and ventilate the affected rooms by opening windows. Be aware that roof trouble can often be mistaken for faulty plumbing. Check all chimneys and tiles on that side, and have a check in the loft for signs of trouble. My neighbour once said she had a pipe leak into the kitchen coming from my house. I took a look and there was a small hole in the kitchen wall ingressing water. Also she admitted condensation was a big issue. I had this issue recently on an internal wall with a puddle, and ended up pulling open a stud wall to find the source...which was dripping over the sewer pipes due to a tile issue on the roof above. Easy to assume the issue is plumbing when it can be condensation or a roof problem. Your insurance will cover all the damage, as identified by a chartered surveyor appointed to inspect the claim. You will, at best, be expected to pay the excess on the claim. Be careful what you say to your neighbours. I own property and every empty unit is supposed to be checked regularly for damage and maintenance. If they are not doing that, their claim maybe void and you don't want to promise them payment when the issue maybe due to a neglect of their own property.

BritishDesiGirl · 09/04/2022 20:54

Don't agree to anything until its 100% certain it is your fault. It sounds like it might be them, trying to shift responsibility to you.

Your insurers will establish where the problem is so need need to worry until it is proven and even then your insurance will deal with it so less stress for you

Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:54

They said to take a picture of the water meter at night and then in the morning, to see if excess water is being lost..I think 🤷🏻‍♀️hence the no flushing loo/using the water at night.
Haven’t spoken to Dh about it properly as he’s in a pissed off mood today and that was the cherry on top! He said they were nice about it.
He said won’t be from water on floor…she doesn’t just splash at times, often gives her dolls a bath and it ends up everywhere.
Hopefully isn’t an issue from our side, but Dh said where our pipes are runs directly across that part of their wall…I think!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fortheloveofgodwhatnow · 09/04/2022 20:57

Hoping we have home insurance, which sounds ridiculous but not sure if it came with the mortgage.
If worse case scenario and we don’t have any, are we taking thousands?

OP posts:
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