Water falling onto a canopy, pavement or window area may have several sources. Identifiable timing and location support investigation better than an unverified accusation against a flat.
What to have ready
Identify the scope and records
FEHD's 2026 announcement explains that allowing air-conditioner discharge to cause a hygiene nuisance can be an offence. A proven nuisance can lead to a Nuisance Notice requiring cessation within a specified period. This complaint route differs from an investigation into an internal ceiling's water seepage. Describe where water appears to fall from, where it lands and when it occurs instead of labelling every damp mark an air-conditioner problem.
FEHD's maintenance leaflet covers installation, secure drainage connections, suitable fall, clearing blockage and regular checks. The objective is proper drainage to the applicable facility. Simply redirecting a hose towards another flat or a different part of the pavement does not demonstrate an effective repair. Check the building's central drainage arrangements with management and use suitable technical assistance for exterior work rather than reaching outside to move a pipe yourself.
Practical steps to follow
- Record whether dripping occurs in dry weather or rain, its start and duration and the landing point. Capture enough context to identify the building from a safe position without filming unrelated interiors or standing beneath a dripping or falling-object hazard.
- Give management the location and timing to coordinate source checking; tenants should also inform their landlord. Label the source as possible and ask for confirmation. Keep replies and inspection arrangements so that repeated verbal exchanges do not replace an actual progress record.
- If unresolved, use FEHD's official complaint form or 1823 with the full address, observations, contact details and attachments. Retain the reference and add new periods or recurrence after repair to the existing case so the investigation can use a coherent timeline.
- An owner receiving a notice or finding their own unit dripping should arrange suitable technical checks of the pipe, tray, connections and blockage, confirming the drainage destination with management. Retain the quotation, repair items and observations when the equipment runs normally afterwards.
A worked example and wording to adapt
A resident notices dripping onto a window canopy on dry evenings. The message says: 'Block ___, facing ___. Dripping was observed on ___ during ___, landing at ___. The source is unconfirmed; please arrange checking. Dated footage is attached.' When it recurs after an upstairs inspection, the resident adds the new period under the existing reference. The equipment owner repairs the drainage pipe, has drainage checked during normal operation and supplies the completion record to management rather than reporting success solely because the technician attended.
Follow-up and completion checks
FEHD has investigation and enforcement arrangements, but adoption of a newer investigation system does not guarantee immediate resolution of every case. If the source remains unclear, add specific timing and safe observations and ask about the next step. Use an actual notice for its deadline rather than guessing one.
Maintain separate evidence for the nuisance investigation, tenancy repair responsibility and any damage claim. Repainting or temporarily switching off equipment may only hide the symptom. Observations after normal use resumes provide more useful completion information for the case officer and for any separate repair discussion.
Use precise timing and landing points, then check again during normal use after repair.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.