We have had to move out of our property for approximately 6 weeks while repairs are carried out following a leak. We were booked into a hotel and moved in on 4th January. The booking for 6 people and two dogs was made on 5th November - 2 months before we moved in. The insurers (Aviva) are now saying that the costs involved are too high and they want us to move again. Moving 6 weeks worth of belongings (clothes, computers, printers etc) for 6 people and 2 dogs was no mean feat and the thought of doing it all again is making me feel ill. We have a letter telling us that we are booked in for 42 nights. How can they just change their minds? I have been fighting this claim for so long now and have had so many problems getting it sorted. I can't believe that they now want to put further stress upon us. We are settled here now and do not want the hassle of moving again. What can we do?

That's what they've said. Is that the same with every institution? I can understand their reasoning, but it's annoying just the same. We do have arrangements in place to repay the council tax and mortgage arrears. It'll take about 3 years to recover from a 5 month spell of unemployment! The £8000 in charges and interest have all been incurred since 27th July 2001.

Hi I haven't sent it yet as I wasn't sure if it was appropriate. Do you think it's OK?

I submitted the hardship information over the telephone and have received a letter telling me that as the charges were levied prior to our current 'hardship' situation, they will not consider the case. We are behind with our mortgage and council tax and have an IVA set up to pay other debts. What can we do now? The £8,000 in charges would come in pretty handy right now!

Hi I have drafted a letter to the managment company but I don't know if I've worded it correctly. To be honest, that's why I've joined this forum - to get some pointers. Sadly, I have not kept records of dates - this damage occurred over a matter of years and I had no idea that it would lead to such a headache (and heartache). This is my letter so far: I refer to your correspondence dated 11 June 2009 regarding our insurance claim. As you are aware, the initial quotation supplied was for just for the redecoration for damaged walls and we were unable to proceed with the work because of the damp that was still in the walls. When the damp had almost cleared, we were ready to proceed but were told that the underlying damage was more extensive – the blown tiling, blistering woodwork, swelling flooring etc. and that the problems that we were experiencing with our shower was because of the damage initially caused by the leak from the upstairs flat. The sum of £680 may cover the cosmetic work that is needed but it does not solve the original problem and it would never have done so. I appreciate that ************** Loss Adjustors may have dealt with the problem in January 2008 but at no time did anyone from that company, or ************* Management, inspect the damage. If they had done so, they would have seen that simply ‘covering up the cracks’ would not be sufficient. The leak from upstairs was in no way our fault and yet we have been left with horrendous damage to our home. Our en-suite can no longer be used and we have ‘lost’ carpets in the hall and main bedroom. I am also fearful that the blown tiles in the bathroom are in danger of falling which would obviously be a disaster to look at, but could also be dangerous and could cause injury. I would be grateful if you would pass this letter on to ********** and ask them to instruct a loss adjustor to visit our property to inspect the total damage that has been the result of the leak from flat 8. We hope that you, and **********, will be able to deal with this matter further and that we will receive the appropriate compensation to enable us to re-instate our home to its previous condition. A copy of this letter will be lodged with our Solicitor, *********. Do you think that I should detail the events leading up to the current day (as I have in the forum) or should I leave that until a later stage? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS. IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

You're explaining it very well........thanks

Thank you. I couldn't work out why it didn't show up on 'New Posts'....

I can't find my thread?!?!?!?!??!?!

I live in a block of flats and the building is insurance as a block cover. A few years ago, having moved a chest of drawers in our bedroom, I noticed that the wall and carpet was damp. I removed the carpet and allowed the area to be free of furniture. Over time I noticed that the damp was increasing. I mentioned it to our managing agent who said that damp was not covered by the insurance. After a while the wallpaper in the bedroom, bathroom and en-suite began to peal. I then noticed that fungus was growing behind the toilet. I called a plumber who checked and said that the toilet was not leaking. The lino in the en-suite began to discolour from the outside wall inwards and soon it was completely mottled with mould. In frustration, I lifted the lino and discovered that the damp had spread to under the wood that was encasing the pipe work and the wood was rotting. It had also reached the wooden base to the shower unit. The wooden base was now rotting and the shower base was unsafe. At about this time, the people above were house-hunting and the property was left empty for a few weeks at a time. The dampness became worse and a neighbour noticed that an overflow was trickling. Plumbers were called and we were told that the toilet was fine and not overflowing. Still the pipe trickled and our damp problem worsened. It was apparent that when the property above was occupied the overflow just gently trickled along he pipe and then back into the wall (and into our flat). When it was unoccupied, the flow was greater but not a flood (just more noticeable). Thankfully after a few more frustrating and damp weeks, a painter and decorator noticed that the pipe was not from the toilet, but from the central heating. A plumber was called and the fault was rectified at last. We thought that it was all over. Not so. We were told to get a quote to repair the damage. A company came in and a quotation was sent to the insurer. The quotation only covered the cosmetic work and was agreed immediately by the loss adjuster. We told our managing agent that further work needed to be done to repair the damage and they sent someone out. They came while I was out and my son just showed them the shower cubicle (now held up with a car jack!). Not aware of the problems leading up to the collapse of the cubicle, they said that it was wear and tear and quoted £1800. I argued the point and was told to get other plumbers in. I waited for the damp to dry out completely and obtained 2 quotes. This took a matter of months as the damage was so severe. The quotes were sent to the insurers who have now refused the claim because they have already settled it. They say that as we did not make the repairs immediately, it has resulted in more damage which I presume they feel is down to us to cover (£3745!) I feel sickened that we are left with a an en-suite that can't be used, a bedroom that has pealing wallpaper, mould damage and no carpet and a bathroom with pealing wallpaper, blown tiling, swollen flooring and blistering woodwork and paintwork. And all because of a leak that was not our fault! At no time did anyone from the management company or the loss adjustors inspect the site. If they had at the time of the first submission, they would have seen that further work needed to be carried out. I am so angry, annoyed, sad and frustrated!!!!!!!!!!! I COULD CRY (and I did this morning when their refusal letter arrived) Can anyone help me with this please?