The upstairs neighbor is overwatering houseplants,hvac guy can't help and HOA doesn't care.

Contact the HOA. Everything depends on what the CCRs say about leaks. Do not crowd source this, no one knows what your governing docs say.

Yes, you need to refer to your own documents about who covers what. Regardless, I own an apartment in a coop and have run up all three times I have experienced leaks. I would certainly knock on the upstairs neighbors door pronto just to ask if there is something going on in their apartment that they know of. Also, contact your HOA asap. If this ends up being an insurance matter you want to show that you took action immediately.

Apartment leaks I've heard of: Someone's ice maker was broken and a leak happened behind the fridge that upstairs neighbors couldn't see, pipe rotted, neighbor dead in the tub, cracks in mortar. Possibilities are endless.

It's not condensation. Invite your upstairs neighbor down please.

Thank you all. I will reach out to the HOA.

@klem1 @joseph Humidity in my unit is around 65%. Could that be an issue and contributing factor?

If the humidity is at 65% and the tenant above you is running the AC, then it is possible the water you are seeing is condensation from HVAC equipment. It could be a clogged drain pain, or AC refrigerant lines dripping condensate.

thank you @mike_home

are you saying that it could possibly be from HVAC equipment in my unit?

It could be a dozen different things. The only way to find out is investigate or hire someone to investigate. It doesn't require a Harvard degree to remove that recessed light and look inside furr-down then go from there. To diagnose from 1k miles away without seeing the place requires a magician's hat plus luck and wild imagination.

I was suggesting it is coming from HVAC equipment located above your unit. However if the refrigerant lines for your equipment run through the ceiling, then it is possible that could be the cause. When it comes to water leaks, you can't assume anything and everything is possible.

It doesn't require a Harvard degree

As someone whose spouse has a Harvard degree and cannot change a light bulb, I'd say it requires that you do NOT have a Harvard degree. :)

@mike_home @klem1 thank you. i am going to arrange an HVAC specialist to visit me - i hope it does not cost me an arm and a leg to fix the issue. do HVAC specialists also take care of drywall if it needs to be stripped out or do i need to hire someone else?

i do understand that a public forum should not be a source for investigation but i was just trying to gather all the pointers so that i can have an informed opinion.

@kendrah lol

" do HVAC specialists also take care of drywall if it needs to be stripped out or do i need to hire someone else? "

No, they do not repair drywall.

" but i was just trying to gather all the pointers so that i can have an informed opinion. "

Understood but from the picture and your description alone it is about impossible to guess with any accuracy.

Kiran,

The first thing you should do is inform the condo HOA about the leak. You may have to do this in writing. I also suggest you knock on the door of your upstairs neighbor and inform them water is coming from above your unit. If this is being caused by a leaking water pipe a HVAC specialist will not be able to make the repair.

I will assume you have homeowner's insurance. If you do call the insurance company and/or read your policy and determine what coverage you have for water damage. You may be covered for all repairs except for the deductible amount.

Google: water damage restoration.

"i am going to arrange an HVAC specialist to visit me"

Have you talked to your HOA and looked at your documents yet? It is possible that your HVAC system and space between walls is common property and you have to get permission to go into the walls, and perhaps use their HVAC person? Or perhaps your building will pay for this investigation? Have you lived long in this condo and have you lived in a condo before? They are different beasts than just dealing with a home repair on a house.

@kendrah - all valid questions. i will reach out to my HOA building manager again. he is aware of the issue and was going to work with the upstairs neighbor.

i have never lived in a condo before but have been living here for over 3 years so very well aware of HOA constraints and common elements.

First contact your HOA. If they can't hep, call a plumber to tear out a section of drywall and see what's going on.

Hello All. Issue turned out to be upstairs neighbors AC which is leaking water. Plumber was here onsite and that is what he concluded with certainty.

Does anyone know why an AC would leak water - is there anything they can do temporarily to stop the water from leaking into my unit ?

Looks like the AC guy does not have availability until next week and I am worried about wet drywall.

Air conditioners condense moisture out of the cooled air, which provides humidity control. The condensate drain may be clogged which leads to the collection pan in the air handler overflowing. There's normally a safety float switch the shuts the system off but it's possible the system involved doesn't have one or it's not working.

is there anything they can do temporarily to stop the water from leaking into my unit ?

Yes your neighbor can temporaily stop using their AC until the condensation leak is fixed. I feel that is a reasonable request given the damage being done to your ceiling.

I agree with Mike. You've done the legwork up to now,it's past time for your neighbor to step up. If the ac guy that is a week behind is some bil that works for condo assocation you should put your foot down,this is an emergency and if he can't come TODAY,insist neighbor call someone that can. Remind me not to hook up with this condo outfit.

Thanks for updating us. Hope it is easily resovled.