Have joined this forum because no one I know has any experience with this. I hope it's not too off-topic, as it relates to building work I will not be doing myself.
I rent a basement/ground/1st floor flat in a four storey Victorian end-of-terrace. What they didn't tell me when I moved in was that the building was subsiding. There are now cracks everywhere, damp and just two days ago a large chunk of rendering fell off the back of the house, scaring the crap out of me.
I've been informed that the landlady's insurance company have now confirmed that they will cover the repair work and surveyors are coming next Wednesday to give the building a look-over.
The thing is, I have no idea what to expect, when it comes to what they will have to do. I've prodded around Google but can't find any direct answers when it comes to a pre-1900's house with a basement (note: the basement is pretty much a glorified coal cellar and is not a living space). Should I expect a situation where I can no longer live in my flat because they're digging trenches in my floor/filling my basement with concrete?
I'm sure all situations are unique, but I would like to hear from those in the know with a full range of possibilities, from best case scenario to worst. In the end, what will happen, will happen and it's not my responsibility but I'd like to know if I should start looking for alternative accommodation asap!
Also, is there a risk of the house falling down as they do the work? Should I start making plans to move my belongings out too? Because of the subsidence, contents insurance has been too expensive for me to afford, so if something happened to the building, I'd lose everything.
Sorry to ramble on. Am freaking out a bit.
I rent a basement/ground/1st floor flat in a four storey Victorian end-of-terrace. What they didn't tell me when I moved in was that the building was subsiding. There are now cracks everywhere, damp and just two days ago a large chunk of rendering fell off the back of the house, scaring the crap out of me.
I've been informed that the landlady's insurance company have now confirmed that they will cover the repair work and surveyors are coming next Wednesday to give the building a look-over.
The thing is, I have no idea what to expect, when it comes to what they will have to do. I've prodded around Google but can't find any direct answers when it comes to a pre-1900's house with a basement (note: the basement is pretty much a glorified coal cellar and is not a living space). Should I expect a situation where I can no longer live in my flat because they're digging trenches in my floor/filling my basement with concrete?
I'm sure all situations are unique, but I would like to hear from those in the know with a full range of possibilities, from best case scenario to worst. In the end, what will happen, will happen and it's not my responsibility but I'd like to know if I should start looking for alternative accommodation asap!
Also, is there a risk of the house falling down as they do the work? Should I start making plans to move my belongings out too? Because of the subsidence, contents insurance has been too expensive for me to afford, so if something happened to the building, I'd lose everything.
Sorry to ramble on. Am freaking out a bit.