How to deal with inter-floor leaking base on MCST

How to work with inter-floor leaking under MCST


The inter-floor leaking is usually found under the bylaw in an estate.  The current law said that if the leaking is from upstairs and not due to condensation then it is the responsibility of the SP upstairs of your unit.
This photo shows that there were PU injection done on this area above the ceiling.   Further investigation with the owner above this unit.   We found that the upstairs unit is leaking through the broken pipe which leaks thru this hole.  Leaking is from the sink when even they turn on the tap from the sink. 

This case luckily settles by both owners so that pleases both. 


Guideline:

·        Follow the StandardOperating Procedure (SOP)/KeyPerformance Indicator (KPI)
·        Check the unit that is affected by the leak
·        Verify the sources of the problem and prefer this is done by contractor
·        If it is confirm leaking then inform the owner upstairs by the management
·        Condensation is direct responsibility of the owner of the unit
·        The two owner must liaise directly and solve this on their own
·        Exception is that the leak maybe from the common area then the management will be responsible to cure the problem


Additional Note:

If the owner upstairs is not taking action to cure the problem and the fact shows that he is responsible then another option is to take it directly to Strata-titleBoard (STB).  It will cost you only $500 to present this case directly in Singapore.  It will be straight forward case. Show your proof then it shall go from there.

The leak included leaking from any part of the unit upstairs of your unit. Example:  Care of a pot of flower and it cause leak to down stair unit. It shall follow the SOP to solve this problem.

 Update:

23 December 2013
Verify the sources of the leaks is most important.  The leaks maybe from more than one sources.

Example 1:
Recently, i have seen one unit of condo that has leaks all over the interior walls and ceiling.

 Result:


  1. leak from exterior wall
  2. leak from internal water pipe inside concrete wall and above plaster ceiling.
  • resulting to water stain marking and molding on the wall
  • water dripping from the inside wall
Recommendation:  
Fix the visible/obvious leaks within your unit if you can't find any visible sign of leak from upper unit.  We maybe tempted to blame other units or others for the leaks but it won't solve your problems if you won't even bother to fix what is obvious.

*one note here is that the leaks is never obvious and easy to find for some cases.  Leaks may not be the unit directly above yours.  It may come from a few units above.  WATER TRAVEL THROUGH ANY HOLES AND LEAK UNTIL IT IS DRY OR EVAPORATED.
Example 2:
Water stain on the ceiling.  There are no apparent leak from above unit.  

Result:
This solutions was by experience and patience in facts finding. 
We found that the owner is a European working in Asia.  The gentleman does not like the humid and hot weather in the house.  He will turn the air conditional to the coldest possible without turning it off.  

As we found out that the moisture is trap within and condensation had wet the ceiling until it drip.

Solutions:
Turn down the air condition and occasionally turn it off and let in fresh air to refresh the whole interior and allow it to dry.  It will be hygienic to not breath recycles air as some health expert has advise.

23 December 2014

Contractors maybe employ to help solve the problem and that it will help when it come to court mediation at Strata Court.  Contractor may use sensors to find out the location of the leaks.

4 September 2015

http://www.bca.gov.sg/BMSM/bmsm_faqs.html#general_q4

Above is the link to Government site on their answer on inter floor leak.


***this article will be update regularly as it is still work in progress and I welcome comment from other professional. 


Disclaimer:

All this is based on my personal experiences and opinion.  Not all estates are the same and it will offer different experiences. My experience does not represent the all for all in this industry. 

*** This document is copyright by Victor MZ Ling

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