The Latest FlatChat column in The Domain covers the very important topic of insurance.
It uses an example of a strata unit that was flooded by the upstairs neighbours due to a malfunctioning dishwasher. The owner of the dishwasher acknowledges the cause of the damage to the unit below is from their flooding dishwasher, however did not want to take responsibility (as they did not have landlord insurance) and suggested that the downstairs neighbours claim it on their home and content insurance (which they did not have).
For the avoidance of doubt, this is not an issue for the Owners Corporation as this relates to individual units. The upstairs owner is liable, whether or not they are insured. The downstairs owner should talk to a lawyer about possible action, including getting an estimate for the repairs and sending it to the landlord with the threat of legal action to recover the amount, plus legal costs, at a small claims court.
Read the full here.