Routine repair and maintenance will help keep your homeleak-free


ELECTRICAL SAFETYAND GENERALADVICEFOR HOMESAFFECTED BYWATER


DAMAGEAND FLOODING nMake sure thepropertyissafebeforeyou


enter nTrytoavoid direct contactwithany water


which remains. Itmay be contaminated nHave atorch at handwhen entering the


property nSwitch off theelectricity supply at thefuse box, if it is safe to do so.Ifthere is evidence of waterinsidethe fuse box, stop andseek


professional advice nUnplugdamaged electrical appliances and move allportableonesawayfrom thearea


affectedbyflooding nArrange forother services,suchasgas,to be switched off. Electricity and gas supplies should notbeturnedbackonuntil youhave had professional advice that it is safe to do so. Do not attempt any electrical repairs or connection of temporarysuppliesyourself–


BUILDINGSINSURANCE


ANDWATER DAMAGE Once aleakhas beentracedand further damage prevented,the buildings insurancetaken outbyyourlandlord of theblock of flats will covercertain typesof consequentialdamagecaused. It will not coverthe cost of repairstoany damaged pipework unless thedamagewas caused by freezing water in the pipes. If a leak is in a pipewhich is only used by


oneflat,evenwhenlocatedincommonparts, thepositionmay be morecomplex.Itwould normally be the leaseholder of that flat that hadtopay forthe repair if caused by normal wear andtear. Butany consequentialdamage would be covered by the buildings policy. Buildingsinsurance takenout by


landlordswillcover anynecessary repairs DISCLAIMER


Whileevery efforthasbeenmadetoensure theaccuracy of theinformationcontained in thisLesseeAdvisoryNote,itmustbe emphasisedthatbecausetheAssociationhas nocontrol over theprecisecircumstances inwhichit willbeused, theAssociation, its officers,employeesandmemberscanaccept noliability arisingout of itsuse,whether by members of theAssociationor otherwise. TheLesseeAdvisoryNote is ofageneral natureonlyandmakesnoattempttostate or conformtolegal requirements; compliance with thesemustbetheindividualuser’s ownresponsibilityandthereforeitmaybe appropriatetoseekindependentadvice.


Flat Living Issue 17


connectionof temporary suppliesyourself


andredecorationtothe fabric of theflat itself, including fittings and fixtures, but not replacement of damaged contents owned by residents except in certain circumstances.


LESSEES’ CONTENTS ANDCONSEQUENTIAL


DAMAGE TO THEM Theinsurances takenout by alandlord or managing agent do not include insuring leaseholders’ or tenants’ household contents andpersonaleffects. Butthe building insurancepolicieswillnormallycover fixturesand fittingssuchasbaths,basins and toilets. It is important that leaseholders obtain


contents cover. Forexample ifawater leak fromoneleaseholder’sflat causes damage to thecontentsofthe flatbelow,the items canonlybereplacedifthe both leaseholders hold currentcontentspolicies. Itmayseem unreasonable butthe leaseholderwho is not at fault in any waymay have to claim on his/ hercontentsinsurance if theleaseholder fromwhose flat a leak occurred does not have thirdparty contents cover. Note thatmany contents policies do notallow forthird party damage cover.


Donot attemptany electrical repairsor


always usearegisteredelectrician: nArrange foraperiodicinspection andtest to be carried outonthe property.The registered electricianwillissueyou with an Electrical Installation ConditionReport(EICR)which will identify theconditionofthe wiring and


equipment in need of repair nAllofthe portable appliances affectedbythe flood will need to be tested tomake sure that


they are safe for continued use nFixedequipment,suchaselectriccookers, storage heaters, boilers etc. should also be


tested nIf thewater damage to electricsis relatively minor andcausedbyclean water, i.e. aburst waterpipeortank, then it is likely that theregisteredelectrician will just need to dryout cables andreplace anyaccessories affected by the water (sockets, switches,


plugs etc.) nIf thereismajor flood damage to the electricscausedbyclean or contaminated water, then it is likelythatparts of the electrical installation will need to be rewired. When re-wiring is necessary, ask the


registered electrician about the possibility of raising the height of the newly installed electrical equipment, includingraising the fuse box and sockets to above any future expected flood level.●


Forarangeof guidanceondifferentissues affectingleasehold flats,gotowww.arma.org.uk


AssociationofResidentialManagingAgents Limited(ARMA) 178BatterseaParkroad,LondonSW114ND Tel02079782607 Fax02074986153 Email info@arma.org.uk Websitewww.arma.org.uk


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