Ceiling Collapsed, rented property

Norman_Castle

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

That sounds really odd. Ceilings don't normally just fall down!

With lath and plaster the plaster can come loose from the laths over large areas.

davidmcn

Rogen07 wrote: »

We do have contents insurance, but we don’t see why we should pay the excess and I assume incur an increase in cover cost because of something that isn’t our fault.

This is assuming contents works in the same way as say car insurance,

It does, generally, but just because something isn't your fault doesn't mean it's somebody else's fault. Sometimes ceilings fall down without any warning, and even though there were warning signs here, I'm not sure that anyone could be sure about when it would collapse.


But by all means ask for more if you're not happy with what's being offered.

FBaby

Claim on your insurance ask LL if they will cover the excess. Don't expect anything for distress. If people could claim something of other people every time they get distressed there would be no end of it.

bigisi

People do love to get “distressed” when there’s a bit of compo to be had, don’t they? I think the use of the words “risk to life” must be worth a grand at least. You go get ‘em OP!

Dear god...

AlexMac

Contrary to comment above, old lath & plaster celings do "just fall down".

And you took reasonable precaustions by warning the agent.

Research whether their negligently slow response cost you anything (property, insurance excess, increased future premium, alternative accom, laundry & cleaning...) put a cost on that and determine (with help from your insurer if you have leagl protection) wheter you have any grounds for action vi small claims or similar ...

Only problem is they'll probably evict you at the end of your AST so google "revenge eviction" and if yu do decide to tough it out, hint at that thhreat in any letter before action...

-taff

Rogen07 wrote: »

We do have contents insurance, but we don’t see why we should pay the excess and I assume incur an increase in cover cost because of something that isn’t our fault.

Phone your insurance company and see what they say about it.

moneyistooshorttomention

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

That sounds really odd. Ceilings don't normally just fall down!

Yes they do.

I've seen it happen twice to other people personally. A noticeable size bit of "lath and plaster" came down in both houses and I had noticed a crack in the ceiling of one of those houses just before it came down and duly got myself and friend out from underneath it just before it came down.

In the case of the property that was rented - it did come as quite a shock to the tenant to have that happen - as they (and I - as I lived there too) had assumed the landlord was looking after it better than that.

Rosemary7391

Looks like I learned something today then! Never seen it happen, would've thought my flat a prime candidate - have seen the ceiling bend due to neighbour above having a ceilidh. Thanks for setting me straight.

Rogen07

Thanks to everyone who has replied. We really appreciate the comments.

I’ll let you all know how we get on with our complaint.

I’d like to also say that we’re not out just to get money. The plaster that fell was very heavy and the ceilings are very high. The force it fell with has damaged the flooring in the property so there is every likelyhood it could’ve caused risk to life.

This is adamant from news stories found online from similar incidents. A loss in profits is the only way to inconvenience a business in the same way this has inconvenienced us.

davidmcn

Rogen07 wrote: »

Thanks to everyone who has replied. We really appreciate the comments.

I’ll let you all know how we get on with our complaint.

I’d like to also say that we’re not out just to get money. The plaster that fell was very heavy and the ceilings are very high. The force it fell with has damaged the flooring in the property so there is every likelyhood it could’ve caused risk to life.

This is adamant from news stories found online from similar incidents. A loss in profits is the only way to inconvenience a business in the same way this has inconvenienced us.

You can only claim for losses you have actually suffered - not losses you might have suffered if the circumstances were different, or an amount which you think will "inconvenience" the other party.