Is Water Damage Covered by Strata Plumbing?

Finding the source of the damage and fixing it as quickly as possible are the top priorities when water damage occurs at a strata-titled property.

Who will cover the cost of the damage, though, once it has been repaired? Who is in charge of the water intrusion? The individual responsible for paying the bill may not always be obvious depending on the source of the water leak and the extent of the damage.

Does strata insurance cover water damage then? Another good question. Purified Plumbing will talk about the fundamentals of what occurs when a strata unit sustains water damage, as well as your alternatives as a strata property owner, in this guide.

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Water damage and Strata Insurance

Strata insurance is purchased to pay claims for both unexpected and unintentional building damage such as water damage. In most cases, when tangible evidence of the damage is originally seen and a claim is filed to the body corporate, strata insurance will cover the accompanying damage of a burst or leaking pipe. However poor maintenance is not covered by strata insurance. 

Owners won’t be covered by strata insurance if a known issue has been allowed to worsen and become more serious or for normal wear and tear.

It’s important to note that, generally speaking, strata insurance only covers damage to fixed fixtures and common areas; it does not cover contents inside individual apartments.

Who Is Liable for Water Damage inside the units?

Water damage in strata properties may be caused by a number of different parties. Depending on the circumstances and how the water damage happened, liability will vary.

Plumbing or roofing leaks are the most frequent source of water damage in strata buildings. If this is the case, the strata insurance can cover the cost of fixing and covering any related damage.

What Happens If An Owner From A Different Lot or Unit Causes Damage to my unit?

In general, the strata insurance or contents insurance will reimburse the cost minus the excess if damage to your property is brought on by an owner of a separate lot. The party at fault may need to pay the extra in specific circumstances.

Who Is Responsible for Repairing the Most Common Plumbing Issues?

Among strata buildings, a few plumbing concerns stand out as being particularly prevalent. Here is a quick glance at some of the most frequent issues seen at strata properties:

1. Clogged bathrooms

One of the most typical plumbing issues in strata properties is blocked toilets. Typically, someone dumping something down the toilet that shouldn’t be flushed will be the culprit behind the obstruction (e.g., nappies, sanitary products, wet wipes, etc.).

So who is liable for fixing it? Typically, the obstruction must be removed by the owner or occupant of the unit where the toilet is located. 

Your strata manager or property manager should be contacted if you are unable to remove the obstruction on your own or if it keeps reoccurring. If the owner or the tenant is responsible for the issue, they need to find their own plumber.

2. Leaky taps

Another typical plumbing issue in strata buildings is dripping taps. 

Who is in charge of repairing it? The tap is often the responsibility of the owner or occupant of the apartment where it is located. However, the strata company may be responsible for the expense of repairs if the tap is situated in a shared space (such as a hallway or stairwell).

3. Burst Pipes

Another typical plumbing issue in strata buildings is burst pipes. Most often, a burst pipe is the result of an increase in pipe pressure, which can be brought on by a variety of factors (e.g., a blockage in the pipe, a change in temperature, etc.).

Who is responsible? Burst pipes are often fixed or replaced by the strata corporation. The owner or occupant of the apartment may be responsible for the expense of repairs, nevertheless, if the burst pipe was inside a unit.

What should you do if a pipe bursts? In the event that a pipe bursts, get in touch with your strata management or property manager and request that they make arrangements for a plumber to fix the problem.

4. Roof Leaking

Another typical plumbing issue in strata buildings is leaking roofs. Most of the time, a hole or crack in the roof—which can be caused by a number of things—will be the source of the leak (e.g., severe weather, age, tree branches, etc.).

In most cases, the strata corporation is in charge of fixing or replacing leaking roofs.