Collapsed ceilings are a serious hazard for any resident of a council house or housing association. Not only can they cause serious personal injuries, but they can damage the overall structure of your property in general.
To have your ceiling collapse in your home implies a serious amount of negligence on behalf of your landlord. They may have failed to notice the weakening structure over the last few years, or perhaps they even just decided to ignore it. Either way, if you notice that there are cracks or a visual droop in the ceiling’s plaster, you need to notify your landlord as quickly as possible to have it fixed. If they fail to do this then the problem could become much worse. The last thing you want to deal with over winter or during the pandemic is a collapsed ceiling. That’s why it’s important that you start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims. A solicitor from Gowing Law can help you do that.
Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are determined to help you with your Housing Disrepair Claims. No matter what type of damages you have experienced due to your landlord’s negligence, our team of specialists will be there to support you throughout your case. You can contact us at any time to begin your claim. Feel free to call 0800 041 8350 when you are ready to get started. You can also visit our website to find out more information about how we can help:
Housing Disrepair Claims: What are they?
Housing disrepair claims are there to protect you when your home is damaged by forces that are outside of your control. This includes landlord negligence, time, age, natural disaster and influence from neighbouring properties. Your landlord is responsible for the repairs of your home. This includes paying any fees that are required for replacements or repair work to ensue. If they fail to do this and act negligently, you could be owed compensation as well as your repairs sorted out. Your landlord is responsible for the following areas of your house:
As you can see, your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the majority of your home, including your garden, attic, balconies and any essential equipment. Although you do need to keep your home in good condition, including clean and tidy, your landlord needs to ensure that any damages that you did not cause are taken care of as quickly as possible. Make sure to contact them through phone or email, as well as written correspondence. If you send a letter then you will be able to use it as evidence that you did your best to inform your landlord about the disrepair. Here is the process you should follow if you end up having a housing disrepair:
Landlord Negligence
Your landlord needs to get the disrepair sorted as quickly as possible. That way they won’t end up getting worse. A collapsed ceiling can go from bad to worse extremely quickly, that’s why it’s important that they get the right team in to fix the problem at hand. If they fail to do this then this is an act of negligence. Should your landlord act negligently, you could be owed compensation if you end up getting hurt due to a collapsed ceiling. Some of the most common types of landlord negligence include:
Housing Disrepair Claims & Compensation
The amount of compensation that you receive will depend on the extent of the negligence you have endured. It will also depend on the amount of time that the disrepair has been left for. Take for instance, only a small crack has appeared in your ceiling. Although it may signify a larger problem at hand, the repairs needed to ensure it does not collapse will be less than fixing a fully collapsed ceiling. If you have been hurt due to the collapsed ceiling, you can also make a claim based on the personal injuries you have experienced. Keep this in mind when you speak to your solicitor about your claim. They will be there to help you during your time of need.
What causes collapsed ceilings?
The ceiling in your home may have collapsed due to a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it may just be the age of your home, other times it may be due to a weakening of the surrounding structures. Cracks can form due poor craftsmanship, especially if the insulation is old or potentially falling apart. There may be something heavy beneath the ceiling surface that may be putting extra pressure on the structure. If the ceiling is already weak, it is likely that the structure will not be able to hold for much longer. That’s why it’s crucial that if you notice something wrong that you alert your landlord as quickly as possible. You may notice that:
- There is a creaking sound coming from the ceiling.
- You hear a cracking noise coming from the ceiling.
- You see a droop appear in your ceiling in the plasterboard or through the cornice
- A large crack occurs through the plaster of the ceiling
- You see nails or screws pulling away from the plasterboard sheeting
If your ceiling does end up drooping or falling down, there is a chance that the dust could cause a breathing issue due to the tiny particles of the ceiling. Worse still if your home has asbestos in the walls, this could cause irreparable lung damage and could eventually potentially cause cancer if it is fully breathed in. These type of damages will not help you if you already suffer from asthma or a breathing disorder. In fact, you may find that your disorders end up getting worse and that you need to get medical treatment to try and help you feel better.
Collapsed Ceilings and Personal Injuries
Collapsed ceilings can cause serious injuries if more than just a small portion of it falls down. Recently, there was a case in a Weatherspoons where 6 people were left covered in plaster because the ceiling of the establishment fell on them. Unfortunately, in some cases, a large amount of ceiling falling on people can cause a wide range of damages. If the piece is large enough, it could cause a fatality, however in most cases, these are the type of injuries that you could suffer from:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Loss of eyesight
- Damaged spine
- Damaged nerves
- Head trauma
- Breathing difficulties
If you have been hurt due to a ceiling collapsing, it’s important that you get help as quickly as you can. Even if your injuries do not seem severe, you need to get a doctor to look you over. That way they can determine whether or not you will need medical assistance, rehabilitation assistance or medication. You should also ask for a medical report to act as evidence that you were hurt due to your housing disrepairs. This could help you claim a higher amount of compensation when you start your case.
Water Damage and Ceiling Damages
Another reason why you could be eligible for compensation is through water damage. Sometimes if your ceiling is exposed to the elements or a heavy amount of flooding, it could become cracked, sag or experience moulding and damp issues. You may end up seeing tiny specks of black and brown appear on your ceiling. There may even be some damp that makes the room feel moist and unpleasant to be in. Water damage can even occur from broken pipes, boilers and tanks and can do more than damage your ceiling. It can damage your wall structures, wall paper and even leave marks on your flooring.
Make sure to keep an eye on any holes that appear in the ceiling that allow leaks to fall through into the room. If they are left unfixed, you will find that you are unable to live in the room or feel comfortable incorporating it into your daily schedule. This can cause a lot of problems, especially if the room has essential equipment in it, such as your bathroom, kitchen or bathroom.
How could I be eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim?
The best way to determine whether or not you are eligible to make a Housing Disrepair Claim is to see whether or not you were hurt or experienced damages due to the housing disrepair. So it did not just damage the house but it caused your personal damages. You suffered due to the disrepairs in your home. That’s why you could be owed compensation because of the negligence of your landlord.
Your claim will most likely fall into at least one of these three categories:
As you can see, it is likely that your claim will fall into more than one of these categories. Let’s take for instance that your ceiling has collapsed. If it fell on you then it is likely that you experienced personal injuries, such as broken bones, bleeding or bruising and needed hospital appointments to feel like yourself again. The dust damaged your clothes and furniture. Therefore, you could no longer use them. As the hole was so big, you may have found that it was impossible to use the room as it was dusty, dirty and covered in debris. If this was your living room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, then you may experience inconvenience. The more damages you have, the more likely it is that you will receive a higher amount of compensation. You could be owed anything up to £20,000 in damages!
What should I do if I am going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim for collapsed ceilings?
After you have sought out medical treatment for any damages you have experienced, it is time for you to get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim. We understand that you may be going through an extremely difficult time, especially if you have to go through medical rehabilitation for your injuries. Your solicitor will go through your claim with you and make sure you understand what sort of damages could make you eligible for compensation. This includes any special damages, like emotional damages, financial damages and loss of opportunity. Your solicitor will then focus on helping you claim compensation for your losses. They will hire a triage assessor to look into, assess and fix the damages. Take a look at the claim’s process below:
Keep in mind that every housing disrepair claim is different, therefore some may take longer than others. Be patient with your solicitor. They will always do their best to ensure that you get the help you need. However, a complex case will mean that it will take longer. Feel free to ask them any questions that come to mind. Your lawyer will always be there to assist you.
Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your Housing Disrepair Claim & Collapsed Ceilings
Collapsed ceilings are serious issues in council homes and properties from the housing association. They can cause injuries and make any breathing issues far worse. Your landlord needs to sort this as quickly as possible. If they fail to do this then it’s time to get started on your housing disrepair claim with Gowing Law Solicitors. We can offer you free advice and consultations about your claim. If you are happy to move forward, our lawyers can work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you only need to pay your solicitor if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top.
Find out more about Housing Disrepair Claims today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our specialists will then be in touch to answer any additional questions that you may have.
Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims & Collapsed Ceilings
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