Flood, Responsibility, Compensation Advice

[gbags]

Hi Guys,

Not bike related at all but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum so perhaps you can help.

A blown pipe in the pavement above my basement resulted in a flooded and wrecked flat.

Fibre optics people breached a high pressure pipe owned by South West Water. They (SWW) sent loss adjusters and people to strip the flooring, skirting etc.

The leak was largely stopped but not properly so that the flat is still suffering with low level water coming in nine weeks later. SWW are dragging their heels now on the continuing leak, trying to put the blame on rain water drainage pipes nearby.

The damage to the flat is considerable and cannot be fixed until the water is stopped and the wall secured.

Should I get a surveyor in? If so, what kind of surveyor?

Should I get a lawyer to force SWW to do the right thing?

Thanks

[Snaf MKII]

Do you have any legal cover with your household insurance?
Surely it's the fibre optic people who should be being held to account, SWW may have fixed the leaking pipe but what about damage to subsoil, drains, tanking etc.
Are you living in it, if so threaten to move out and notify them of the cost to do so.

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

As a last-ditch precaution you could buy one Share in Pennon Group...the parent co of SW Water, and a FTSE top 250 company.

You can then write to the chairman as a shareholder, and raise the issue at the AGM!

[Hugh]

Greetings,

Perhaps book an appointment with or write to your local Councillor and/or MP

Good luck.

TTFN

Hugh.

[bill_qaz]

Can't you claim off your house insurance and they will persue the cable company for recompense.
It's not act of nature flooding if caused by a contractor.

[dave h]

take legal advice,
not forum advice,
good luck,

dave.

[bill_qaz]

take legal advice,
not forum advice,
good luck,

dave.

Said the man on the forum

But sound advice Dave

[gbags]

Thanks fellas,

All good advice.

I have informed my insurance and they’re going through it and I’ve written to my MP about it.

I asked for advice here because I hoped someone might have experienced the same thing.
Any lawyer or surveyor will take my money but I want the right kind.

[qcnr]

You could try Citizens Advice Bureau to start with. You may get pointed in the right direction at least.

[Scott_rider]

The surveyor would have to be an 'RICS Building Surveyor' and he'll probably sub-contract to a drainage specialist. But ultimately the only person who can come to a decision and apportion responsibility is a Judge at court proceedings. Even an expert's opinion can be disputed before that..so I'd go down the legal route first.