Building collapses are rare in the UK.
But they do happen.
For example, a three-storey house in Greater Manchester collapsed in January 2025 (no one was injured or died).
And four months before, a building in Keighly (West Yorkshire) collapsed, too.
Read on to learn more about structural issues in houses.
What are structural issues in a house?
If a house has ‘structural issues’, there’s a problem with its:
- Foundation (including the ground around it)
- Walls
- Floor
- Roof.
Structural issues are a major problem for a homeowner. They could mean that your property is no longer safe to live in.
Lesser examples could be easily fixed and don’t force you to move out.
But in some circumstances, you might need to evacuate. It depends on the circumstances.
Boundary walls collapsing usually aren’t quite as serious.
However, weak boundary walls could cause damage to people or property, so they should fixed and monitored.
How common are structural issues in a house?
The answer depends on several factors.
Structural issues are far more common in older properties that aren’t regularly maintained.
It’s also seen more in parts of the UK vulnerable to flooding.
However, there aren’t currently any definitive statistics on them. In general, they should be relatively low due to regulations.
However, the nature of their causes (including corruption from avoiding regulations) can be hard to understand.
Signs that your house has structural issues
Cracks in walls and ceilings
An imbalanced weight load can cause cracks in your walls and ceilings.
It may also happen because of soil movement that changes the position of your house.
Bulging walls
Look closely at the walls in your house.
If it doesn’t have enough support from the structure, it could start to bow or bulge outwards.
Subsidence
Soil movement causes subsidence, meaning your property shifts.
It could tilt, although this is rarely visible (unless it’s a significant issue). This is a sign of subsidence if doors and windows aren’t closing properly.
Uneven floors
If the weight distribution in your house becomes uneven, this may affect the floors.
It’s not always easy to spot this with the naked eye. But when combined with other signs of structural problems, you should investigate.
Sagging roofs
Check whether your property’s roof is sagging in places.
If it is, this is usually because the beams or rafters have weakened. This is a clear sign of structural issues. You should get it checked out.
Gaps around doors and windows
This is closely related to some of the other signs listed above.
Movement of your property, or weakening certain parts, can create gaps around entrances.
Main causes of structural issues in a house
Structural problems can be caused by poor maintenance.
However, on other occasions, external factors make this happen.
Changing soil conditions or water levels
Movement in the soil beneath your house is the main cause of subsidence.
This can happen during a major drought. Or it may be due to high levels of rainfall.
Poor construction techniques
You should make sure that your house is constructed correctly.
Get the relevant searches done before you buy it. Otherwise, poor construction techniques may be your downfall.
Problematic plants
Trees and plants with aggressive root systems can grow in and around the foundations.
Japanese Knotweed is the most well-known example. Others include wisteria and English ivy.
Pest infestations
Many pests will eat away at the foundations of your property—especially any materials made from wood.
Typical examples in the UK include:
- Rats
- Termites
- Wet or dry rot.
It won’t cause a problem overnight, but you may notice it over several years.
Seismic activity
This is rare in the United Kingdom, but it sometimes happens.
Earthquakes cause movement in the earth, which triggers a structural nightmare. Make sure to get this checked if one happens near you.
Lack of maintenance over time
There may not be just one explanation for your property’s structural problems.
Instead, if you haven’t looked after it for several years, it could be a cumulative effect.
What should I do if my house has structural issues?
1. Bring in a professional
A professional is the only one qualified to assess the situation.
Don’t ‘self-diagnose’ as you could miss something or make a mistake. This puts everyone in the house at risk.
If you can afford it, get more than one expert opinion. This gives you peace of mind about what the problem is.
2. Get a detailed report
You should ask your professional to complete a detailed report.
This will explain what the structural problems are and what caused them. You can also assess how to fix it.
This is useful for you to create a clear path forward. It will also reassure buyers and lenders if you sell the house before work is done.
3. Consider your different options
You should gather price quotations from several different professionals.
Then, discuss the best route forwards within your budget. And make sure you don’t compromise anyone’s safety in the meantime.
4. Take steps to ensure it never happens again
Once the work is completed, you don’t want it to reoccur.
Or, if you’re selling the house without fixing it, give your buyer all the information needed to stay safe.
How much does it cost to fix structural issues with a house?
You won’t be surprised to hear that it depends largely on the problem.
Minor repairs cost around £1,000.
This includes fixing cracks and patching up a hole in the roof. This is useful if the problem is unlikely to reoccur.
For example, due to one-off seismic activity. Just ensure that the root causes of structural problems don’t make them likely to reoccur.
On the other end of the price spectrum, it could cost around £10,000 if subsidence needs underpinning.
Residents may also need to move out for the duration of fixing it. This pushes your costs even higher.
Do I need permission to fix structural issues with a house?
In most cases, you need planning permission from your local council.
You should check with them, especially in a protected area.
You must also get permission if you don’t own the house. Speak with your landlord to clarify the situation and outline a path forward.
And it’s also worth speaking to your insurance company, too.
You may not be forced to pay for the costs involved. Speak to a solicitor to ensure your rights aren’t violated.
