Updating post from Reddit.
No doubt I will get people telling me I shouldn't be a landlord, which is exactly why I am part of this Community to ride the waves and do better.
And yes maybe I could market it and sell it instead but there is no running water since my entitled downstairs neighbour turned off the water that goes through his shop into my flat. And I am a landlord because I just want steady long term rental payments.
Just sort it on your insurance
I pay buildings insurance as part of my lease fees to the management company so then would I just let him try to get a solicitor letter them send to the management company? I know they wanted me to use their contractors so I don't know if that will affect things.
Also about the water damage to downstairs laundrette. I have been told he should raise a claim but he just gave me a handwritten piece of paper with an inventory of costs he says I need to pay him for. And he wouldn't even accept a direct payment. He wanted cash!! And I refused so far to pay cash so he (downstairs guy) still has not turned my water back on. He wasn't even that bothered with a solicitors letter.
You don't pay him the insurance should cover the neighbour. Your lease might stipulate a difference to what I am about to say... The roof of a leasehold flat is normally the freeholders responsibility and covered by the freeholders insurance which you are paying for. The neighbour shouldn't be claiming against you but rather the freeholder and in particular the building insurance. Oh wait I just seen the neighbours are also leaseholders within the property then they all should be going through the insurance. The only point you would be liable would be if you were negligent but this is a roof leak it's a building issue and freehold responsibility. The neighbours sound like they are trying it on. I wouldn't pay a penny just tell them to claim on insurance... What do you mean they haven't turned the water back on... It's illegal to turn off your water you really should be speaking to the freeholder and say they have cut your water I think this could be putting your neighbour in deep crap. Please call your water board tomorrow and state the neighbour has cut your water. Also potentially speak to a solicitor as that is not cool they will need to send a letter warning of the implications if they continue to do so as you would be in line for compensation for it.
"I just want steady long term rental payments"
I don't get why you highlight this. Obviously it's a goal for most landlords so I highlighted that as others outside this forum have said I should just sell it as they are ongoing issues with both the people.
Do you not want that as a Landlord yourself? Or are you not a landlord?