Who pays for a roof leak into a top-floor condo unit?
If the roof is common property, the MCST is responsible for maintaining it and repairing the leak. Common property includes the waterproof membrane attached to a roof. Top-floor owners in cluster housing and penthouses with private roof terraces should check the strata title plan, because some roof areas fall within a lot. Disputes go to the Strata Titles Boards.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Flat Roof and Wet-Area Waterproofing in Singapore: Membranes, Ponding, Leak Tracing and Repair. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Most flat-roof and bathroom leaks in Singapore come from failed membrane details, not the open field: upturns, outlets, penetrations and laps. Diagnose before repairing, using a controlled flood (ponding) test, moisture mapping and inspection. The code of practice is SS 637:2018. In strata buildings the roof membrane is common property, so the MCST repairs it.
More questions on this topic
- How long should a waterproofing ponding test last?
- Which is better: torch-on, liquid or cementitious waterproofing?
- Can I just coat over my old roof membrane?
- What does a waterproofing warranty usually cover?
- Why does my roof leak only during some storms?
- Do I need BCA approval to redo roof waterproofing?