Burst water pipe in a building – who is liable to pay
Question
Hello.
A pipe of one line in a building cracked and is causing flooding to the neighbors below. Who has to participate in paying for the damage?
Answer
Shalom u-veracha.
According to the strict law, everyone who makes use of this pipe (even someone who lives below the crack and whose water does not cause damage) is obligated to participate. There is also a certain custom (though not a clear, binding custom) that the entire building shares the cost.
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
About the Rabbi
Source
In Siman 164, se'ifim 1–2, it is explained that when there are several tenants living in one building, each one is responsible for building and repairing his own part, so that no damage is caused to his neighbors.
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