What should I do about a leak from the flat upstairs?

Protect your home and occupants

Water may travel through a ceiling void and emerge some distance from the leak. Move people away from active drips, cracked plaster or a sagging ceiling. Do not puncture the ceiling or climb to inspect it.

If water reaches your light fitting, socket or electrical equipment, do not touch the fitting or enter standing water. Isolate the affected circuit at your consumer unit only if you can do so from a dry, safe place. Otherwise keep out and seek qualified help. Arrange an electrician to check affected equipment before using it again.

Coordinate with the upstairs property

1. 1Contact the occupier directly if you have their details, and explain where and when water is appearing. Ask them to check taps, toilets, showers, appliances and visible pipework.
2. 2Notify the landlord, letting agent, building manager or managing agent as appropriate. In a managed block they may have a process for access and shared pipework.
3. 3Ask the upstairs occupier to stop using the suspected fixture and close their stopcock if the leak is continuing and it is safe to do so.
4. 4Do not enter another flat without permission, tamper with shared services or turn off a shared valve unless authorised and safe.

Record damage and arrange investigation

Take photographs and note times, rooms affected and any changes in the leak. Keep communications with neighbours and management in writing where possible. Contact your insurer to check what information, emergency work and contractors your policy requires; the source and responsibility may need to be established.

A plumber may need access to both properties to trace the leak and confirm whether it comes from a fixture, private pipework or a shared system. TraceFix engineers in Birmingham and London can investigate plumbing leaks and advise on practical next steps. Do not arrange cosmetic repairs until the source is fixed and the affected materials have been assessed.