Cracks, subsidence, an unsafe roof, or unstable floors — structural disrepair in a rented home isn't just inconvenient. It's a potential safety risk, and your landlord has a legal duty to fix it.
Structural disrepair goes beyond cosmetic imperfections. These are defects that affect the physical integrity of the building — the parts that hold it together, keep weather out, or make it safe to live in. The law is clear: your landlord must maintain these.
It's worth distinguishing between structural and cosmetic defects. A hairline crack in fresh plaster after a new tenancy may be cosmetic. A diagonal crack widening over months, particularly near window and door frames, is potentially structural — and may indicate movement, subsidence, or settlement.
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 — Section 11
Your landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair. This explicitly includes the roof, walls, floor, ceiling, drains, and external pipework.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
The property must be safe and fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy. Structural instability that poses a safety risk is a direct breach.
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Structural collapse is classified as a Category 1 hazard under HHSRS — the highest level of risk. Councils can and do act on these.
Structural problems range from serious safety risks to slower-developing issues. Either way, prompt action protects your legal position.
Contact your landlord immediately. If there is an immediate safety risk and no response, call your local council's emergency housing line.
Report in writing and document with photographs. Set a 14-day deadline for your landlord to arrange a survey.
Document and notify your landlord. Monitor for changes. If ignored or worsening, build a formal claim.
The Claim Builder is designed to help tenants convert their evidence into a structured, professional disrepair report — without needing a solicitor.
Start by checking whether you have a viable claim. Takes under 2 minutes and gives you an instant strength assessment.
Run free checkGuided step-by-step process. Document the issue, your landlord's notification history, and the impact on your health and daily life.
Start reportYour answers are compiled into a structured, professional report — formatted for your landlord, a court, or legal support organisations.
See what's includedSend the report as a formal demand. If your landlord still fails to act, you have court-ready documentation to proceed.
Get startedStart with the free claim checker. It takes under 2 minutes and tells you exactly where you stand.
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