Should Your Landlord Fix Cracks To The External Walls Of Your Rented Property?

If there are cracks to the external walls of your house, this can lead to exposure to the elements and moisture penetration into your home, which isn’t good news when it comes to the property’s condition.

Should your landlord fix these cracks? Here’s what you need to know...

Causes Of External Wall Cracks

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Cracks in external walls can occur for a number of reasons, all depending on what material the rental property is built with. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house, then it’s possible that condensation has caused some cracks to appear due to humidity levels becoming high. But if you live in an old house, particularly one which was built around 200 years ago, it could be because your home is suffering from subsidence.

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Dangers Of Cracks In External Walls

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Cracks in external walls can be dangerous for residents. If you have noticed any signs of cracking within your exterior walls, it is important that you take immediate action in order to avoid being at risk. This is especially true if you are renting a property from a negligent landlord who has failed to repair these types of problems previously. 

You might also be at risk, if someone else living in your home is neglecting these issues. Here are a couple of examples of what could happen if cracks to exterior walls are neglected and ignored;

• The wall could collapse without warning, putting everyone at risk inside your property. 

• The presence of vermin and mold may rise, particularly during rainy seasons when moisture penetrates into homes through cracked exteriors. 

All things considered, having disrepair on an exterior wall is very serious and should not be ignored under any circumstances. That's why it's important to report all problems immediately to your landlord so that you can receive assistance with housing repairs.

Are Cracks To The External Walls Something Your landlord Should Fix?

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It all depends on how extensive they are. If there is only one crack, then it’s unlikely that your landlord will take any action. This is especially true if it is still possible for you to continue living in your property without any health concerns caused by these cracks. But, if there are multiple cracks, or they are affecting your ability to live at home comfortably, then you may be able to take legal action against your landlord for housing disrepair. 

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What Should The Tenant Do?

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The first step would be to talk to your landlord about fixing the issues. If your landlord is reluctant to repair or even entertain your housing disrepair problem, you can seek guidance from us here at Tenant Rescue. We specialise in housing disrepair claims and can advise you on what steps to take next.