What to do in the first hours after flooding your neighbor

The first minute. Shut off the water and cut power to the affected area.

The second minute. Go see your neighbor. Not a day later, once everything has dried and the emotions have piled up, now. How you act in that first hour often decides whether the matter ends in a conversation or in court.

Help limit the damage. Lift belongings off the floor together, mop up the water. It costs an hour and saves a lot.

Report it to the manager. You need an inspection report. It records the fact, the cause, and the extent of the damage.

Document it yourself. Photograph the cause in your own apartment and the damage at your neighbor’s.

Check your insurance. If you have a policy with civil liability coverage, notify your insurer right away.

What not to do. Don’t promise a sum of money in the heat of the moment, and don’t admit fault before you know the cause. If a shared riser pipe burst, it isn’t your responsibility.