Noise from neighbour's hot water tank

lillu22 · Jan 20, 2017

Hi All,

I live in a flat at the top of a large victorian conversion. Above my flat is a small amount of attic space, which has a water tank in it. There are four flats in the building. My flat, the lower ground floor flat and the ground floor flat all have combi boilers and aren't using the water tank in the attic. However, I believe the flat below me still is. Whenever they seem to have a shower, I hear what can only be described as the sound a kettle makes when it has nearly reached boiling. However this sound can be heard throughout my flat. Is this sound normal? If so I am assuming I just have to live with it, as it's the sound of their boiler turning on and getting the water the water tank? Or should I not be able to hear it, even though the water tank is directly above my flat? (It could in fact just be their boiler making the sound and not the water tank at all). Excuse my ignorance, and thanks for any help in advance. I just don't want to mention anything to them, if it is normal to hear such a noise.

Thanks

Lucy

ShaunCorbs · Jan 21, 2017

Sounds like the tank ball valve needs attention/ replacing do you have a maintenance contract for the whole property?

Scott_D · Jan 21, 2017

Can you climb up and look when it makes the noise?

lillu22 · Jan 21, 2017

Hi Both

Thanks for your replies. I am hoping to get a plumber to come to my flat on monday for a seperate problem. I can maybe ask him to take a look. Sadly we all have a share of the freehold, but when I bought the property last year they had never had a service charge sorted out. I am assuming if only one of the flats uses the tank, then it should be their obligation to pay for the repair? If the ball valve does need replacing, if it any expensive job?

ShaunCorbs · Jan 21, 2017

If it's a ball valve no shouldn't be too much

And depends have a word with your neighbor maybe go halfs?

PlumbBobBob · Jan 21, 2017

as the properties are freehold there won't be a service charge applicable. you will need to come to an arrangement with your neighbour.

steadyon · Jan 21, 2017

The freehold of the building will be owned by a management company, and individual properties within will be leasehold, not freehold, although each leaseholder will own a share of the management company.

It is essential that there is a service charge, because the management company has to pay for maintenance of the fabric of the building, and needs money to do so. Otherwise, if the roof springs a leak, the only alternative is to make a call on all shareholders for their share of the cost. Takes ages while the roof deteriorates.

If the water tank is in an area of the building which is not part of any one property, then I would expect the management company to be responsible for its maintenance.