My tenant accidentally flooded the laundry and the apartment below had water damage to the roof. The owner of the apartment below has claimed the strata insurance to fix the damage and is now asking me to pay the excess. Is this right? – Louise, NSW

Question: My tenant accidentally flooded the laundry and the apartment below had water damage to the roof. The owner of the apartment below has claimed the strata insurance to fix the damage and is now asking me to pay the excess. Is this right? I would assume that since it is strata insurance, that strata should pay the excess – not me. There is nothing in our by-laws stating otherwise. Advice appreciated!

– Louise, NSW

Answer: Hi Louise, we cannot provide insurance advice and furthermore, you would have to clarify exactly which policy the downstairs owner is making a claim on to confirm if you would be required to pay the excess. However, it sounds as though it’s their personal policy and not the owners corporation’s policy. There are three types of insurance it could come under including landlords, home and contents. The strata manager should advise if you have to pay an excess on the strata schemes policy.