Updated 2026-10-10 · by Seepwise
Short answer: It depends on where the water starts. Seepage from a fitting inside a unit is generally that owner's to fix; seepage from common property such as the roof or a common pipe is the MCST's. BCA recommends a joint inspection with the management to establish the cause, treats compensation as a private matter between the parties, and points disputes to the Strata Titles Boards.
Seepwise writes these guides from HDB, MND and BCA sources and published Singapore price data; each claim links to where it comes from.
Start with one question: unit or common property?
BCA’s guide on water seepage frames condo leaks around where they start. Seepage can originate within a strata lot, such as a burst pipe in a unit, or at common property, such as a leaking roof, and that origin decides who must fix it (BCA Guide 13).
| Where the water starts | Who generally fixes the source |
|---|---|
| A bathroom, fitting or pipe inside another unit | That unit’s owner |
| The roof, a common pipe, the external envelope | The MCST |
| Your own unit’s fittings | You |
What BCA recommends
- A joint inspection by the affected parties and the management corporation or managing agent, to find the cause before repairs.
- Private settlement of damages and compensation between the parties, which BCA notes are not addressed under the strata management act.
- The Strata Titles Boards for disputes about water seepage.
Source: BCA Guide 13. The guide is not legal advice; for a contested case, a lawyer can advise on your by-laws and the act.
Why a detection report speeds this up
Joint inspections stall when nobody can show where the water comes from. A detection visit with moisture mapping, thermal imaging and a dye test on the suspected fittings gives the inspection something concrete to agree on. See water leak detection.
Common condo sources
- Bathroom membranes in the unit above, the same as in HDB flats
- Built-in planters and balconies whose linings or outlets have failed (planter box waterproofing)
- Concealed pipes running through ceilings, some serving several units
- Roof and facade elements that are common property
Bottom line
In a condo, settle the origin first: unit or common property. Ask the management for a joint inspection, bring dated evidence, and keep the dispute route in mind. Request a leak inspection to get the finding in writing.
Want this checked at your home?
A specialist calls you back to book an inspection.
Request received.
A specialist will contact you on the number you gave. If water is near electrics, switch off that circuit at the distribution board and keep clear until then.
More questions
Who do I contact first about a condo leak?
The management (MCST or managing agent), so a joint inspection can be arranged with the affected parties.
Does the MCST pay for damage to my ceiling?
BCA's guide treats damages and compensation from seepage as private matters to be settled amicably between the parties concerned.
What evidence helps most?
Dated photos, moisture readings and a dye or ponding test result showing where the water comes from.