When we moved into a ground floor flat in the summer there was a minor crack on the kitchen ceiling, but over the past two or three months, it’s got much, much worse. A tiny bit of plaster has now come away.
I think it’s down to one of the upstairs occupants (who moved in at the same time as us) being heavy on his feet.
The damage happening is definitely more than just natural wear.
As I said, there was only a minor crack when we moved in. And judging by the condition of the paintwork, the kitchen hadn’t been decorated for at least two or three years. So there was no cover up by the previous owners.
I intend taking photos to monitor the damage, but what’s my course of action?
Can I expect the owner of the flat upstairs to pay for repairs and improve the floorboards/dampening in his flat?
2006-11-19 21:44:39 · 15 answers · asked by WarrenC 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thanks for the response so far. Just to add, I am the owner of the downstairs flat. The owner of upstairs rents his flat out. (I'm the leaseholder of the property, FWIW).
Again, there was minor crack when we moved in (and it doesn't look as if it's been plastered for years) which is suddenly getting noticeably worse.
(It's not serious enough to look like a pipe leak)
I'm convinced it's down to the stomping tennant above.
So... really our responsibility, 100%?
2006-11-19 23:32:09 · update #1
Check the conditions of your leasehold their may be something in in regarding 'wooden flooring' thier is in mine. If the landlord of the flat upstairs has put in such flooring then you will have recourse but other wise no.
Get some flexible ceiling paint covers all minor cracks etc.
2006-11-20 23:34:43 · answer #1 · answered by Paul D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be interesting to find out if that ceiling had been re plastered in the last year or so. If so and it was plastered over an old lathes and plaster ceiling this could be the cause of the crack.
Best find out because speaking from experience you need to get it sorted or maybe the whole lot will fall down.
Not playing the devils advocate here but a similar thing happened to me when I was staying in a friends flat in Rothesay. The people in the flat below had the ceiling plaster over an old lathes & plaster and when I (upstairs) ran the bath the plaster in the down stairs flat departed from the ceiling narrowly missing the lady of the house, though her husband was taken to hospital with minor injuries. You'll know if this is going to happen as there comes a sound like hail sounds hitting the ceiling.
Oh it was such a funny tale to tell and became a talking point for years. As the people down stairs accused me of having violent sex in the bath (i wish) and this supposedly caused the plaster to fall down.
I hope that yours turns out to be a minor problem that can be resolved without any animosity
2006-11-19 22:16:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, its not the upstairs problem.
A ceiling should be able to withstand any flexing in the floor joists.
Therefore the problem lies with the quality or maintenance of your ceiling.
If its plasterboard, find the joists, screw it up tight, skim or repair.
If its lathe and plaster, think out boarding out with plasterboard and its a relatively cheap job and will be sound for years.
If you are leasing, its down to you, if you are renting, I'd call the landlord.
2006-11-19 22:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by Michael H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ask the owner of the flat upstairs to look at the crack and ask if he's worried about it. You might be able to go halves on the repair. Otherwise it is your problem.... afterall it is your ceiling.
Oh... I'm assuming that the crack hasn't been caused by a leaky pipe?
2006-11-19 21:53:53 · answer #4 · answered by tera_the_giga_dragon_bytes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you get into a heated dispute with your neighbours,just think, this might have started to happen anyway,as new plaster does settle down over a year with cracks appearing around the sides . why not just make them good with a little wall filler, and touch up with paint?
2016-03-29 02:29:48 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your property, your problem. Sorry, so negative. What you might consider to make it quieter in the process is battening to the existing joists putting insulation in, then plasterboarding the ceiling, being sure to skrim-tape all the joints (stops cracking) then skimming the ceiling. Not the cheapest option, but it will stop your noise and crack problem in one.
2006-11-20 09:32:38 · answer #6 · answered by johncob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been there ,yes its the fault of the uper flat due to leakage,witch by the way is not caused by anyone but the builder useing cheap stuff to fill his pocket more,hence talk to your nehbour amicablely and sort out the difference+ share the expence,ps:it does become of a person 4 blameing or making fun of a persons weigth next time remember that!!
2006-11-19 22:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by simm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first course of action would be to get the owner of the building involved. The law will protect you after that if nothing is done. I own rentals and am liable for all structural items inside and out.
2006-11-19 23:11:42 · answer #8 · answered by ken g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cracks can be caused by lots of things. Traffic, movement, general deterioration. It may just need re-plastering. One of those things I'm afraid!
2006-11-19 21:50:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Could be a lot of things:
The age of the plaster
Settlement cracks if it's a new or newly refurbished building
Crap workmenship
2006-11-19 21:50:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋