Flat owners won't assist after storm

Q: I would like to make a claim with regards to damages caused by a storm that has affected my flat. This has become an issue because my flat is amongst other flats in the building and no one else appears to be doing anything about the issue. A contractor has attended to start the job but I have to wait for other people’s insurers before anything begins. I am finding this difficult because only myself and one other flat is directly affected. The damage costs are approximately £700 and I am concerned about any legal or financial implications if I instruct contractors to come out and do the work.

A: You could send a letter to the other flat owners notifying them of the possibility of further damp damage to your property and asking them to chase up their insurers to arrange for loss adjusters to inspect the property within the next 7 days. State that you are looking to instruct the contractors to carry out the work as urgently as possible and therefore their insurers should respond promptly. Presumably the insurers will cover the damage between them on a contributions basis; you could offer your contractor to do all the work and for the insurers to pay, but they would need to agree to this before contractors incur costs - otherwise there is a risk that the cover may be prejudiced.