Water damage caused by the neighbor: who pays?
A burst hose, an overflowing tub, a leaking pipe at the neighbor's, and suddenly water is dripping from your ceiling. Who pays for the damage depends on whether the neighbor is at fault.
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Claim the damage →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Document the damage
Record photos/videos, the extent of the damage, and the cause (as far as recognizable).
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2. Involve the insurers
Inform your household contents insurance (for your property) and, via the property management, the building insurance.
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3. Contact the party responsible
Inform the neighbor (or their liability insurer) about the damage and assert your claim for compensation.
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4. Check the compensation claim
If the neighbor is not at fault, examine the fault-independent neighbor-law compensation claim.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays when water runs from the neighbor into my apartment?
If the neighbor caused the damage through fault, they are liable, usually through their personal liability insurance. If they are not at fault (e.g. a suddenly burst pipe), a fault-independent neighbor-law compensation claim may still exist. For your own property, your household contents insurance often steps in as well.
What should I do immediately after the water damage?
Document the damage with photos and record the cause. Inform your household contents insurance and, via the property management, the building insurance, as well as the party responsible or their liability insurer. Keep receipts for damaged items so you can quantify the compensation.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.