Must I use managing agent’s surveyor at over £600?

Must I use managing agent’s surveyor at over £600?

0:01 AM, 7th March 2024, About 8 months ago 3

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Hi, my rented top floor flat (4 storeys up and on the corner of the block) has developed horizontal cracks along the living room ceiling edges.

Some now are starting to go down vertically. My personal surveyor has seen videos and says it should be referred for building insurance inspection – the flat roof frame may possibly have moved.

The block managing agents responded it would be expensive to get building insurance involved and have offered to send in their private firm of surveyors at over £600, refundable to me if he diagnoses a structural, as opposed to a cosmetic, problem.

I have a few queries about this:

1. Can a surveyor diagnose a problem of this kind from just an internal inspection without going on to the roof?

2. Could I choose my own surveyor?

3. Better still, do I have the legal right to insist on buildings insurance being called in and bypass their nominated surveyor’s suggestion? I would have the most confidence in solution 3!

Thanks,

Jean


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Graham Bowcock

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15:18 PM, 7th March 2024, About 8 months ago

I'd put your managing agent on notice that there may be a problem with the structure of the building. It sounds like something that you cannot (and should not) solve unilaterally.

If you appoint a surveyor you will initially be liable for their fees yourself, but it may be worthwhile to get things moving.

DPT

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9:56 AM, 8th March 2024, About 8 months ago

I doubt you'd be able to get one cheaper than £600. If its a structural issue then it will end up going to the insurers, but I think they just want to check first.

Wyn Burgess

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10:40 AM, 9th March 2024, About 8 months ago

If it is a poorly insulated concrete flat roof above your flat, the cause is likely to be thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete roof slab causing the horizontal cracks as the walls will not be subject to the same thermal stresses. Assuming I am right, it is a difficult problem to manage, chances are it won't be covered by the insurance policy, possibly they will say it is 'gradually operating causes' or something similar.
In the past I have reccomended that lessees dry line the affected walls, the plasterboard can flex slightly without showing the movement. I appreciate this is a bodge, merely masking the movement but there is little alternative unless the roof has a decent thickness of insulation added.

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