Sellers have left us with a leak

[Esbm2015]

So we moved into our house at the weekend. The sellers had taken the washing machine with them.
We are yet to buy a new one.
Anyway two nights after we move in we get a knock on the door from the below flat saying they’ve a leak in the kitchen...
The leak we found was caused by the washing machine hose the sellers had not turned off properly and had left under the cabinets in the kitchen.
Can anyone advise us on next steps for this please? We are furious!!

Call your insurers

Your flat, your problem. I doubt you have a claim against them, it could have started leaking after they left. Just claim on your house insurance.

Aren't they supposed to leave all services etc in a fit state - is there anything in the contract or the law in general about this? Could it be malicious damage - were they on bad terms with the neighbours?

They need to claim on their insurance. You were not negligent, just one of those things.

So the leak entered downstairs two nights after the previous owners left. You obviously didn't notice the leak.

No one in their right mind would accept liability for that when they moved out two days before it happened. Claim on your house insurance.

No they left the hose under the cupboards (out of sight) when they moved out which was trickling water out from that moment. Sorry but I imagine If you remove a washing machine you’re going to make sure the water supply is properly turned off before you leave the property?!

You don’t know that they didn’t do that! Just call your insurers!