Dear All

I hope I'm asking in the right place  and that I can explain myself so you understand

I live in 1 of 29 flats in large converted building. We are looking at replacing the flooring in the communal areas - but it's going to cost the proverbial arm and leg. Currently we have a fairly common industrial lino down, which, for the most part, isn't too bad, but there are areas where it definitely needs replacing e.g. where it's coming away/ripped on a particular stair tread.

I did ask one of the companies who came to quote for complete replacement whether it would be possible to just patch repair the places where it really needs (which are mostly individual stair treads) but was told that they couldn't do that because if they touched one bit of it, then legally they would be held responsible for ALL of the flooring, even the bits they didn't touch.  

Does anyone know if this is true? Would you expect us to be able to get patch repairs rather than complete replacement (we're talking 6 floors worth of lino here!)

Many thanks