Ceiling Collapsed, rented property

Pixie5740

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Perhaps a landlord could tell us that - or whether OP might have to chase the landlord through the Small Claims Court for reimbursement for that.

Sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear, it was a rhetorical question. It is very unusual for landlord's insurance to cover the tenant's contents.

However, a tenant might be able to claim compensation for damage to health or belongings due to disrepair. The tenant should keep records to support their claim which could include:

* letters or emails sent to and from your landlord about the issue
* photographs of the repair problem
* medical records showing how your health has been affected
* receipts for replacements of damaged or destroyed items
* a report from the council’s environmental health team

Now as far as I can tell from what the OP has posted the repair was never reported in writing. In fact although the OP was aware of the crack getting worse they waited until there was an inspection before reporting it instead of reporting it straight away. As I said earlier, I'm not a lawyer so I have absolutely no idea what way it would go in court.

Rogen07

Thanks again for all the responses to our issue.

To confirm the crack began to get worse 24 to 48 hours before it was confirmed in writing on the inspection report 1 week before the collapse.

The reason we didn’t confirm this sooner is that due to our work, both my partner and I work at least an hour from home in environments where it isn’t always easy to use your phone. This is why we took the home visit as our opportunity.

One thing that we have raised with them, is that if we were required to call them to let them know and the home visitor knew that their report wouldn’t be submitted until much later. Why did they not advise us to call to raise this soon rather than later.

No details were given by them in terms of timescale for the report to be sent to the office. Aside from its considered severe and urgent and someone would be in touch to come out shortly.

I hope this helps.

gycraig_2

Do you have an exact figure of how much you feel you are owed ?

Rogen07

We’ve tried to find out how much some of the wooden items would cost to fix, dining table and side board. But we were told that this wouldn’t be worth it due to the type of items there are and would be classed as replaceable rather than fixable.

Everything damaged together comes to about £800

davidmcn

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Think that what would? The landlord's insurance would cover your contents? As far as I know it is uncommon for landlord's insurance to cover the tenant's contents

It ought to if the damage to the contents has been caused by the landlord's negligence.

Marvel1

Rogen07 wrote: »

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.

I must be due ££££ over the years of driving of what could have been :j

Pixie5740

davidmcn wrote: »

It ought to if the damage to the contents has been caused by the landlord's negligence.

Yet it doesn't. Some, but not all, landlord insurance policies come with public liability cover which may pay out if the landlord is successfully sued for damage to the tenant's property. It would have to be shown that the landlord was negligent though.

caprikid1

Good luck in proving the landlord negligent , had a similar situation, I told the tenants I wanted to get in and do it , they dragged their heels. Queue ceiling dropping onto new carpet and decor. Had the ceiling replaced while they were away.

Comms69

Rogen07 wrote: »

Hello,

I’m going through a problem at the moment in a rented property. It is managed by a letting agency.

There has been a thin crack in the dining room ceiling since we moved in since June 2017, however in the last 2 weeks the crack has got a lot worse.

We were due an inspection a day or two after it became worse and we let them know then. Following this we were told by the lady that came round that she’d marked this as severe and needed urgent attention and that someone would be in touch.

Just shy of a week later, nothing had been heard and I emailed with a photo and asked for someone to come and look at this as soon as possible.

The next day the ceiling collapsed while I was in the house. Scared the life out of me and made a huge mess and caused damage to our possessions.

We’ve been told to move out for at least a week and £200 will be deducted from our usual £650 of rent.

We’ve been told this is the only compensation we are getting. Nothing for the damage or the stress. We feel this is neglect on their part and their lack of action could’ve caused risk to life.

I’d like to know if I’m being unreasonable, if I’m in the wrong or not and what I can do to fight this further if I am in a positive position here.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thanks,

Nick

You would sue the landlord, you would sue for your loss, not replacing new for old. This would be via the small claims court.