Water coming through your ceiling from the flat above
Last reviewed 2 October 2026 by the Edinburgh Plumbing Quotes team
The short answer
Knock on the door of the flat above straight away: the leak is usually from their bath, shower, washing machine or a pipe under their floor. If nobody answers, try the factor or landlord, and if water is pouring through, turn off the stair's or your own stopcock if it serves their flat. Keep clear of ceiling lights, and switch off that lighting circuit at the consumer unit if you can do it safely. A sagging, bulging ceiling can collapse: keep people out of the room.
Step by step
- Go upstairs and knock. Ask them to turn off their water and stop using the bath or shower.
- If no one answers, call the factor, the letting agent or the owner if you know them.
- Switch off the lighting circuit for that room at the consumer unit if it is safe to reach.
- Keep out of the room if the ceiling bulges, and put buckets under drips.
- Photograph the damage and note times, for both insurers.
Who pays
Usually the flat where the leak starts is responsible for fixing its source, and each owner's buildings insurance deals with their own damage. Where the pipe is shared, the cost may be a common repair under the title deeds or the Tenement Management Scheme.
Getting a plumber in
The plumber needs access to the flat above. If you are booking it yourself, agree that with your neighbour first and say so in the request.
When to get help
If you cannot reach the person upstairs and the water will not stop, request emergency quotes and mention it is coming from another flat.
General guidance only. If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, call the emergency services first.