Structural defects in Barnet

Barnet has 10,500 social housing homes. Structural defects can be a serious problem, and a legal trigger for claims under Section 11(1)(a), Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 + Defective Premises Act 1972.

Symptoms to look for

• Cracks in walls wider than a £1 coin
• Floors sloping, sagging, or springing underfoot
• Doors that no longer close or open properly
• Bowing, bulging, or moving walls
• Lintel failure above doors or windows

Evidence to gather

• Photograph cracks with a ruler or coin for scale
• Photograph the same crack 2 weeks apart to show movement
• Get a structural engineer's letter if you can, costs ~£200, often recoverable