The Kowloon Regional Joint Office (JO) received a seepage complaint in respect of a private housing estate in Kwun Tong in July 2020.  The complainant (occupant of Flat 2A) wrote to state that the occupant of the flat below (i.e. Flat 1A) suspected that the seepage at his/her bathroom ceiling was caused by the complainant's flat (Flat 2A).  The complainant, however, speculated that the flat above his/her flat (Flat 3A) was instead the source of seepage because his/her flat (Flat 2A) was also affected by seepage.  The complainant requested the JO to follow up the case.

Upon confirmation of water seepage at the affected flat, the JO officers visited Flat 3A and carried out a colour water test therein.  As signs of seepage were noted on the bathroom ceiling of Flat 3A during the test, the JO officers deduced that the seepage source came from the flat above and thereupon visited the flat above (Flat 4A) to carry out a colour water test.

The test results turned out to be consistent with the JO officers' deduction, and showed that defects in the drainage pipe of the water closet in the bathroom of Flat 4A had caused seepage at the flats below.  A Nuisance Notice was issued to the owner of Flat 4A in due course, requiring the abatement of nuisance within a specified period.  After the owner completed the repair works, water seepage at the three flats below ceased successively.  A seepage case involving four flats on multiple floors was thus brought to a close.

Later, the informant wrote to commend the JO officers for their efficiency, devotion and professionalism, and to praise them for proactively coordinating communications among the parties involved, resolving such a complicated case in a rightful and reasonable manner.