The corridor

Imperial Highway crosses La Habra from west to east and carries much of the city's retail and office activity, with apartments, condominiums and townhomes on nearby streets. Buildings range widely in age.

In these settings, a single leak can involve a tenant, a building owner, an HOA and sometimes neighboring units. Knowing who to call first saves time when water is spreading.

Who usually handles what

Leases, CC&Rs and service contracts vary. Check your own documents.
SettingPlumbing inside the unitShared or main lines
Apartment tenantLandlord or property managerLandlord or property manager
Condo or townhome ownerUsually the ownerOften the HOA
Retail or office tenantDepends on the leaseUsually the building owner
RestaurantDepends on the leaseBuilding owner; grease lines may have special rules

When a leak hits a shared building

  1. Stop the water.Close the fixture or unit valve. If you cannot, notify building staff or the manager to close a larger valve.
  2. Alert neighbors.Check the unit above and below. Water travels.
  3. Call the responsible party.Property manager, HOA management or building owner, using their after-hours line.
  4. Document.Photos, times and who you spoke with.

For business tenants

  • Know where your space's water shutoff is and who has access after hours.
  • Keep the building owner's emergency contact posted near the restroom or back door.
  • Train closing staff to recognize a backup and stop water use.
  • Keep grease out of sinks; food service may have additional requirements, so check with the city.

Questions for an owner, manager or HOA

  1. Where are the shutoffs for my unit and the building?
  2. Who is your after-hours plumbing contact, and are they licensed? (Check at cslb.ca.gov.)
  3. Who pays for damage when a leak starts in a shared line?
Map of Imperial Highway. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Can a tenant hire their own plumber in an emergency?

Check the lease first. Many require you to contact the landlord, who arranges repairs.

Who handles a backed-up main line in a condo complex?

Often the HOA, if the line is shared. Check your CC&Rs and call management.

Do businesses need backflow devices?

Some do, depending on use. Check with the city's water utility.

General information for La Habra, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.