A bulging or collapsed ceiling is dangerous and usually an emergency repair. Here is what to do, your landlord's duty, and how to claim if they ignored the cause.
Direct answer
A bulging, sagging or collapsed ceiling is dangerous and is usually an emergency repair. Stay out of the room, report it to your landlord straight away, and ask them to make it safe. Your landlord must keep the structure of your home in repair. If they ignored the leak or damp that caused it, you may have a claim. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.
What to do right now
- Keep out of the room and keep children and pets away.
- Move what you can to safety, only if it is safe to do so.
- Report it to your landlord as an emergency, by phone and in writing.
- Take dated photos and a short video.
- If part of the ceiling has come down and someone could be hurt, treat it as urgent.
Your landlord's duty
A collapsed or bulging ceiling is often caused by a leak from above or long-term damp. Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep the structure in repair and deal with the leak behind it. See how quickly must my landlord fix an emergency.
How we can help
If a leak or damp your landlord failed to fix brought your ceiling down, that is serious disrepair. We arrange a free inspection and pass strong cases to a housing-disrepair solicitor. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.
Free call: 0800 030 4669 | Start your claim
Sources
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 25 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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Still stuck?
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