The Flood: what to do if the neighbors from above are naughty

Stage 1. Stop the flood

First of all, turn off the electricity so that there is no short circuit. Then go up to the neighbors who are suspicious and report the problem – let them turn off the water and find the reason. If there are no neighbors, call the emergency gang of the organization that serves the house. Do not forget to write down the time, application number and the name of the dispatcher receiving it. Workers will close the valves and shut off the riser.

If the perpetrators do not appear at home, three days after the application is received, the door will be opened in the presence of the police and two attesting witnesses.

Step 2. Fix the leak

If you have a camera or video camera at hand, film the process: all of a sudden the neighbors will open up and say that only a thin stream was flowing, and you sparked a panic.

In hot pursuit, call specialists from the organization serving the house (their phones should be on the information stand that hangs in the entrance). The commission will draw up an act of flooding. It is important to list not only the visible results of the flood, but also to indicate possible hidden damage that will appear in 5-6 days, and in the most unexpected places. You must make sure that all the little things are entered into this paper (traces of leaks on the ceiling, wallpaper, swelling of the parquet, flooded with household appliances, damaged books). The act prescribes the culprit of the accident, the cause of the accident and the conclusions of the commission about at whose expense the repair will be made. It is necessary to draw up an act even in the case when the neighbors admit their guilt and are ready to pay for the repairs: what if they change their minds in a day?

Step 3. Conduct negotiations

Try to negotiate peacefully with the “pests”. They compromise, agree to pay for everything – great. Draw up a piece of paper that will indicate the due date and amount. This can be done in the form of an agreement of the parties or a receipt. Write down your and neighbors’ data (address, passport, etc.), put your signatures. For greater confidence, notarize everything. When you receive money, write a receipt about it. Do not start repairs before receiving them. After all, if the case comes to court, they can appoint a re-examination. If the agreement did not work out, we proceed to the next decisive steps.

Step 4. Assess damage

Contact the dwelling appraisal company 5-6 days after the flood. The services of an independent expert are paid (3000-6000 rubles), but you can return the money spent by claiming it from the perpetrators of the flood. Even at this stage, you can try to negotiate with your neighbors by presenting them both the act and the expert’s conclusions with the estimate. You need to come to your neighbors with a written claim, one copy for them, the second for you (your neighbor must sign on your copy). If after ten days there was no answer or you were refused, it’s time to go to court.

Stage 5. Submit a claim to the court

Not confident in your abilities? Seek help from lawyers. Again, you will have to pay for the services of drafting a claim and representation in court, but this amount can be collected from your neighbors who flooded you. And you do not have to take time off from work to attend court sessions, and a professional will defend your case much better.