A quarter of all insurance claims made on flats are the result of damage caused by water leaks. The effects can be costly and cause a great deal of heartache. This needn’t be the case with a few preventative measures.

Our factsheet gives tips to avoid the common causes of leaks in bathrooms, toilets and kitchens and from radiators throughout the home. You’ll also find insurance guidance and electrical safety and general advice for homes affected by water damage and flooding. Electrical repairs, including connection to temporary energy supplies, should always be carried out by a registered electrician.

Following recent, tragic events at Grenfell Tower in West London, this edition focuses on fire safety in flats. We begin with advice for residents.

A former project manager at London Southend Airport, Michael Dray heads up Associated Surveying, part of the Gateway Group. His job takes him across the country to carry out Health & Safety and Fire Risk Assessments, as well as working closely with housebuilders, social landlords and the wider Gateway team. “Check and double-check” is Michael’s motto.

Front doors to individual flats can save resident lives during fires, so it’s vital they’re fit for purpose. In modern properties, doors should be close-fitting, with no gaps, warping or damage, and have fire-resistant glazing and intumescent materials (materials that swell) to protect openings, such as letterboxes. If you’re a resident with any questions, just get in touch. Our factsheet gives advice for older properties and on replacing doors.

Always evacuate the building if your flat is affected by smoke or heat, or if you are told to do so by the fire service. If there is a fire elsewhere in the block, your flat should be in a building that’s designed to resist fire, meaning you need not leave your home. That said, if in doubt, get out.