What's the legal status of a goodwill gesture?

[Chris S]

I've had a leak into my leasehold flat for the last seven years.

About four years ago the freeholder waived a £500 insurance excess that I was liable for as a goodwill gesture, for the inconvenience and distress that I had suffered.

Would this prevent me from making another compensation claim from 2009 to the current day?

 

[Archie_tect]

Best ring the insurance company... or check with Citizen's Advice Bureau.

 

[Globalti]

No. If you've lost money as a consequence of his action (or inaction) you've every right to continue claiming that back from him, no matter what he may do to try to sweeten you. You never reached a settlement and you never agreed that the matter was closed, did you? I doubt that even that would matter.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If there's one thing that's an absolute certainty it's that if someone says "as a goodwill gesture" then there's no goodwill involved at all.

 

[buggi]

no it wouldn't. A goodwill gesture is not the same as receiving a "final settlement". Make a claim, they should have got it sorted!

 

[Firestorm]

I've had a leak into my leasehold flat for the last seven years.

About four years ago the freeholder waived a £500 insurance excess that I was liable for as a goodwill gesture, for the inconvenience and distress that I had suffered.

Would this prevent me from making another compensation claim from 2009 to the current day?

Why were you liable for the excess on his policy ?
If he made actually made a claim for the damage and failed to address the cause he maynot be covered by the insurance policy.
Also having admitted knowledge of the problem may compromise his current policy.
You can still claim off him but he is unlikely to have any recompense from his insurers.

 

[Chris S]

Thanks for the advice - I'll see a solicitor next week.