Think My House has Concrete Cancer

Lady_Python

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum. If not, Mods please move it for me.

I've lived in my council house for the past 15 years. Recently, the council sent out letters saying that contractors would be contacting me sometime in the near future to check my house for concrete cancer. It was built in 1954 and is of the prefabricated concrete type. So far, I have not heard from the contractors.

However, my son noticed an area yesterday, about 3/4 the way up the side of the house where the end of a metal reinforcing rod has become exposed, has rusted and the surrounding concrete cracked and expanded. On looking up concrete cancer on the internet, photos show this is what we have.

What I'd like to know is, has anyone experienced this and if so, what happened? My house is an end terrace house. Will the council carry out repairs with us still living in the house, decant us to another house then move us back or demolish our house? I really don't want to have to move as I am a widow and my 28 year old son is on renal dialysis. Apart from that, I live in a quiet street with mostly good neighbours, which backs onto woodland and have good sized gardens front and back.

I believe (but I'm not 100% sure) that if the council have to rehouse us, it has to be to a similar type property, i.e. a house not a flat.

I'm really quite worried about this but at the moment I'm holding off reporting what we've found to the council (house doesn't look like it'll fall down anytime soon).

lincroft1710

Lady_Python wrote: »

Will the council carry out repairs with us still living in the house, decant us to another house then move us back or demolish our house?

I believe (but I'm not 100% sure) that if the council have to rehouse us, it has to be to a similar type property, i.e. a house not a flat.

At the moment I'm holding off reporting what we've found to the council

Only your council can answer these questions, when it has been able to assess the extent of the problem and the most suitable/economic remedy.

Like human cancers, concrete cancer doesn't just go away, so tell the council what you have found.

stator

It's likely the house will need major work in the near future, so you should prepare yourself for the worst. The council may decide the houses are unrepairable and knock them down. But they may decide to fix them. Many pre-fabricated houses can be converted into traditional houses by building up new concrete block walls. It's major work and costs a lot of money, but might be cheaper than knocking them down and starting again. So it's really only a decision the council can make.

moneyistooshorttomention

I always had the impression that Councils rebuilt the external walls of the existing house where that is found.

Fingers crossed for you.

Best to tell them and ask what the options are and state you intend to stay put in existing house - but want it fixed - so that they know that is your position from the outset.

Lady_Python

Many thanks for your replies. As far as I can see (and I'm no expert), I seem to be the only house in the street with this problem. There are only a small handful of houses left in my street that belong to the council. Most have been bought by tenants and some sold on. One neighbour a few doors down bought their house last year. No faults showed up on the survey. Same with the house mine adjoins to - no problems there either. It was also sold after the death of my elderly neighbour and I know she had a full structural survey done when she bought her house some 30 years ago, plus the new owner having a survey done last year.

Another reason I'm worried about this is if we have to move to another house, I am on a limited income and can't afford moving costs as I only have my wage coming in. Things are very tight for us financially and because my son attends hospital for dialysis 3 times a week, he can't work (which is really upsetting him).

If we can stay in the house while repairs are carried out, that would be fine. I can live with a bit of disruption although sleeping would be a bit difficult as at the moment I work nightshift - another reason I'm holding off telling the council. I'm looking for a 9-5 job at the moment but as I'm pushing 60, not easy to come by.

I really could have done without this

PasturesNew

Lady_Python wrote: »

Another reason I'm worried about this is if we have to move to another house, I am on a limited income and can't afford moving costs as I only have my wage coming in.

I wouldn't worry about that one. While it's not assured, it's usual for the Council to pay removal costs and even a "bit extra" to get the other place round to how you like it if you've been asked to move.

So, [1] you might not be asked to move [2] you will be financially catered for.

Lady_Python

PasturesNew wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about that one. While it's not assured, it's usual for the Council to pay removal costs and even a "bit extra" to get the other place round to how you like it if you've been asked to move.

So, [1] you might not be asked to move [2] you will be financially catered for.

Wonder if there's anything in the Tenant's Handbook - I've got one kicking around somewhere - forgot about it. I believe our council have a copy online - going to have a look at it as there might be some info in there.

Thanks for jogging my memory

lincroft1710

If it is a "forced move", it is likely the council would pay moving costs.

But take this one step at a time. The time to find out about help with moving costs is when you know you will definitely have to move.

maninthestreet

It's the council's problem, not yours, as they own the property.

Lady_Python

maninthestreet wrote: »

It's the council's problem, not yours, as they own the property.

I'm well aware that it is the council's problem as they own the house but it is also my problem as it's my home.

I'm hoping that the concrete cancer hasn't spread to far or affecting other parts of the house - certainly I can't see anything externally elsewhere but I'm no expert and the contractors could take samples from other parts of the house and find something.

At the moment I'm just trying to find out what might happen. Nothing is written in stone yet (no pun intended).