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Topic
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Flexible water pipes from wall connection to toilet cistern and also from wall or floor to taps in kitchen and bathrooms.
These pipes need replacing at maybe 10 year interval.
These pipes occasionally burst.
Who owns and therefore who is responsible for these pipes and any damage caused by water if one of these pipes bursts?
Also, the water shutoff valve is within the apartment and therefore not accessible to anyone except the owner/occupier.
If a pipe bursts, and water damages internal property and other property below, who is liable for repair?
Thanks,
Ken
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Replies
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Ken – those flexible braided hoses are the property of the Lot Owner, who is responsible for both maintaining them and for any damage that arises when they fail.
I say when they fail because they WILL, and that’s why it’s a good idea to replace them annually, especially for those on a hotwater supply, and why an even better idea is to have a competent plumber replace them with specially shaped copper pipe.
Again, when they fail and the water supply cannot be immediately shut-off, the Owners Corporation may take steps to have that supply isolated elsewhere, particularly if damage is being caused to its Common Property and/or to other Lots (e.g. adjacent and below), and may at it’s discretion invoice any costs of it doing that to the Owner of the Lot where the failure occurred.
The good news is that damage arising from the failure of braided water supply hoses is covered by Strata Owners Contents Insurance, and depending upon any optional coverage selected, may also cover damage to items (of contents) outside of the insured’s Lot.