Fixing concrete crack in ceiling

AlexMac

I’m with ThisIsWeird, above.  Maybe, rather than asking us, a random bunch of amateur Structural Engineers to diagnose the problem and estimate the cost of repairs, the questions you should be asking are about the Freeholder, their attitude to maintenance and insurance and whether they and their insurers are efficient, competent and responsive. 

Some are, some ain’t. 

A good example is from the time when I owned a leasehold flat in a “shared freehold” block which we, as joint directors of the freehold management company ran on a DIY basis, rather than appointing a Managing Agent.  I acted as treasurer, collecting Service Charges and arranging Buildings Insurance for the shared structure. We were resident owners but some flats were let out to rental tenants. 

A week-long plumbing leak from an empty rental caused many thousands of pounds of damage to the flat below, while its tenants were by unhappy coincidence away on holiday. 

We, as the freeholder, didn’t mess about, but immediately got the insurer on the case. Luckily, we’d chosen a good one, and they (AVIVA) sorted everything; surveying the damage, appointing a really competent contractor and (as the kitchen had to be ripped out), covering the tenant’s relocation and alternative rental cost for several months. 

The question is, would your prospective freeholder be that responsive, or would they tosh it over, or worse, abdicate their responsibilities?

Jonboy_1984

Also just be cautious as there is normally a time limit after something happens to start an insurance claim, typically 6 months on a domestic policy, not sure on a block of flats building policy. If it has been long enough to market the property and go through the conveyancing (typically 16 weeks plus for leasehold) it may well be out of time for the freeholder to claim and the costs might fall back on the leaseholders. 

I personally would get a structural engineer out, and if anything more than the plaster is cracked look to walk away… and don’t know what a mortgage valuation would make of it either.