Resident reports roof movement and leaning brickwork
A Cleethorpes pensioner says she is living in fear after discovering her 130-year-old home appears to be moving, with the roof "spreading" and an external wall leaning outwards. Janet Hodge, 78, who has lived on Park Street since 1986 with her partner Ian, 73, told InfoRadar she first noticed something was wrong around six months ago when the downpipe on the guttering appeared bent and rainwater was not flowing as normal.
Her concerns deepened when a family member observed that the top course of brickwork beneath the eaves seemed to be angling away from the house. A neighbour invited her to look from their property for a clearer view of the rear elevation.
“I thought maybe the gutter had moved a bit. I didn’t think anything of it,” she said. “I fetched my son-in-law round and he said when you look at it, the top six to eight bricks below the eaves are leaning over the garden by about a foot. The next door neighbour told me to come round and look from their kitchen. It looked horrendous.”
Ms Hodge says she has struggled to sleep since noticing the movement, adding that photographs do not capture the extent of the problem. She and her partner rely on the state pension and say savings are being rapidly depleted as they explore what might be required to make the building safe.
Insurance dispute leaves homeowner in limbo
Ms Hodge contacted her home insurer, Policy Expert, to begin a claim and was directed to complete details through an online system. An assessor then visited. She says she has since been told the issue falls under "wear and tear" and lack of maintenance, and is therefore not covered by her policy. The situation has left her uncertain about how to fund any remedial work on a limited income.
“It’s scary. The main thing that upset me so much is you think you’re covered and you find out you’re not. If you don’t have money no one wants to know,” she said. “We had a new roof put on and it’s sliding off and taking the wall with it.”
Ms Hodge said she had remained with the same insurer for six years because the premium had been competitive, but she struggled with the digital process to initiate the claim, adding:
“You have to go to a portal and I didn’t know what a portal was. The assessor came…”Her account ends there; no further assessment outcome was provided in the information seen by InfoRadar.
Older housing, rising costs and limited cover
While every property is different, older houses—particularly those more than a century old—can face structural movement and weathering over time. Standard home insurance often excludes gradual deterioration and maintenance-related issues. That can leave homeowners facing difficult choices if significant works are required, especially where incomes are fixed.
Residents in similar situations typically weigh up options with qualified professionals. Independent structural advice can help establish whether movement is active or historic and what temporary safety measures or repairs may be needed. In urgent cases, local authorities’ building control teams can advise on immediate risks to public safety and what steps are appropriate.
What residents can do if they spot building movement
Anyone worried about visible movement—such as leaning brickwork, misaligned gutters, or unusual water run-off—may find it helpful to take prompt, practical steps. While each case turns on its facts, typical early actions include:
- Record what you see: note dates, take clear photographs from multiple angles, and avoid unsafe areas.
- Seek professional opinion: consult a suitably qualified builder or structural engineer for an initial assessment.
- Contact your insurer early: notify them, follow policy procedures, and ask what evidence or reports they require.
- Ask about support: local building control can advise where there is a potential risk to the public; advice agencies can help with navigating insurance decisions.
Specialist charities and advice bodies may also offer practical guidance to older residents dealing with home maintenance, budgeting and consumer rights.
At a glance: the case described
| Location | Park Street, Cleethorpes |
|---|---|
| Property age | ~130 years |
| Issue noticed | Guttering misalignment; water bypassing downpipe |
| Observed movement | Top 6–8 bricks under eaves leaning by about 1 foot (as described) |
| Insurer | Policy Expert |
| Policy position (as described) | Not covered; categorised as wear and tear/lack of maintenance |
Ms Hodge says she has no family resources to draw on and that the uncertainty is taking a toll. As with similar cases, next steps will likely depend on expert structural advice, further dialogue with her insurer, and whether any immediate safety measures are recommended by professionals.
InfoRadar has outlined general routes residents can consider in comparable circumstances. Readers with concerns about their own homes are encouraged to seek qualified advice and to contact their insurer for policy-specific guidance.
