Problems insuring ground floor flat due to management of flat block

[iloveeverykindofcat]

In a bit of a catch-22 situation here. I own a ground floor flat in a 2 storey purpose built court. Its a leasehold (for something like 800 years) and all the leaseholders pay a certain amount to the property management company for maintenance of the whole building. The owner of each flat owns the interior 'shell' if you like - interior walls, ceilings and floors and whatever's inside. So early this year the management company sends out notice that we each need to pay oneoff topup on the maintenance because the roof of the building needs ventilation works due to damp/mould etc. Annoying but fair enough, I paid up. However, the works still haven't started due to 2 people being late paying - I don't think the management company can tell me who they are, and I know they are chasing but so far it hasn't worked. Okay its not ideal, but at least my flat is ground floor so any problems with the roof won't impact me immediately - however. This has happened just as I need new buildings and content insurance on my flat. Old policy is now ended and I was going to shop around but of course, as soon as I get to the questions like "is the property in good repair" and "is any building or structural work being carried out" I'm stuck. I've been going back and forth with the management company by email but getting nowhere, so I'm going back to go in and try to have a talk with them. Any ideas what I should say specifically to clarify where I stand/what happens if moisture from above causes damage to my ceiling? Any phrases I should use specifically?I've never opened a property before so its all a bit new to me. I will point out the problem I have regarding insurance.

I'm going to work now but will check back this afternoon to see if any advice. Thanks in advance!

You should only be paying for contents insurance. The building is covered by the management company.

So, say theoretically, my ceiling that I own got damaged by water from above, that would be the management company's responsibility? I guess that is one thing I need to ask them

You should definitely only be paying for contents insurance - go through s comparison site like moneysupermarket or quidco to get quotes to ensure you don't overpay. Your freeholder / managing agent should give you a copy of your buildings insurance certificate which would cover damage from the building.

One of the advantages of living in a flat is that you only need contents insurance.

Thanks all. I'm going to get confirmation from the management company on who is responsible for any damage to my property from beyond the interior walls - and ultimately what my recourse would be. Because its one thing who is legally responsible and another what happens in reality!

It depends on the source of the water ingress as to who is responsible but the communal parts (including communal pipes and roof) of the building should be covered the building’s insurance policy. As other posters have said, you only need contents insurance for your flat as you will already be covered by building insurance (you will contribute to the cost as part of your service charge). I’m a little surprised shocked that you don’t know this. Sounds like you need to spend some time understanding your obligations as a leaseholder. Read your lease (it’s amazing how many people don’t) and make sure you understand what the freeholder is responsible for and what you’re responsible for.

I'm in a similar situation, at least where a block of flats is involved. Our joint buildings insurance covers the roof as well.

Is this an excess over and above what the insurance will pay or more than the float that your property manager is holding for additional works?

Unfortunately there's not a huge amount you can do (although happy for someone to say differently). The property manager can chase the non payers with a debt manager but I don't think there's a quick solution.

Its that the amount is more than the float. The management company does indeed have buildings insurance for the property structure, but I was confused how to how this applies to any potential damage done to the internal structure of my flat, whose cause is from the exterior buildings (e.g. a leak), if you see what you mean.