Roof damage

[susiecoo]

Hi Nigel.
I live in a ground floor apartment on a complex and recently had what I believe to be water damage to the ring beam of my property, due to the staining. More recently the roof above the apartment seems to have had some problems in as much as it appears to be sinking and there are problems with the tiles etc that cover it.

After speaking to the developer, they sent a rep to the complex who looked up and said this was all a maintenance issue, so I contacted our committee who told me ‘NO’ it’s a developer issue. I have been told the same thing a number of times and again today after photos were taken by the committee. I don’t believe they employed a qualified roofer to check, just a committee member and site manager.

The committee insists it’s our problem to solve and that the onus is upon us to seek reports from the developer and request that they put this right as it’s a structural problem. Other people have done this when having had water problems to their apartments on the same block and same level but I’d like to clarify the situation please.

I believe the roof is communal and have asked the committee to show me proof that the roof is ours to deal with – which of course hasn’t been forth coming. Can we source a roofing company to check it properly, get a report, maybe have any damage rectified and then charge it back to the committee if they are indeed liable?

What about the damage to the ring beam, which we believe to be water damage, does this come under the above too?

Nigel, is it possible you could privately email me your response and then I could maybe let you see the photos taken ?
Thank you.

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi susiecoo

The Management Committee needs to investigate this on behalf of you and others in the block. What they (or you) need to do is engage the services of a qualified ETEK engineer to look into the problem and provide a written report on the situation.

If it turns out that it is a structural issue, the Management Committee can then pursue the developer to rectify the problem at his expense (via the court if necessary) using the ETEK engineer's report to support the claim.

There is no point in getting a qualified roofer to prepare a report (unless they're a qualified ETEK engineer) and I can hardly see the developer admitting he's made a mistake!

If it turns out that the problem has not been caused by a structural issue, and assuming that the roof is part of the common area, the Management Committee needs to get someone to carry out the necessary repairs.

I will sent you a PM with the names and contact details of a couple of suitably qualified structural engineer I know - one in Paphos - the other in Limassol - and my email address if you wish to send me the photos.

Regards,