Advice re tenants rights and collapsed ceiling

[frick]

Hello.
seeking wisdom as google has not been helpful in this case!
DS rents a flat in London with friends. Today there was crazy rain and hail, and the ceiling in one of the boy's rooms partially fell - the plaster - letting a lot of water come in, damaging a lot of his possessions (electricals and clothes and furniture) . He was also hit by a large chunk of plaster - he went to A and E, but they did not see him (not sure on full details of this). He has a sore neck/shoulder but is otherwise ok - just upset and angry.
The letting agent sent cleaners round, but have done nothing to repair the damaged ceiling, which still has exposed timbers and a dangling wire 😳If it rains again tonight it will be bloody awful.
Apparently the boy has been concerned about the ceiling for a while, and the agent came to see it months ago at his request, and told him to move his T.V?!

They don’t have renters insurance 😞
Does anyone know what they could do in terms of compensation for damage? I’ve suggested they speak to citizens advice, but other than this don’t know what to advise, or what their rights are?
Any advice or pointers would be most welcome. Thank you.

Maybe speak to Shelter?
I don't know what renters insurance is, but any contents insurance has always been up to me to organise - I'm not sure there's any compensation entitlement without it.

You are supposed to insure your own belongings in rented accommodation.
The landlord needs to fix the roof and ceiling, so it's safe and watertight. The landlord should pay costs to have the place dried out, but if it's hot weather, that probably won't be needed.

See if your policy covers your son. Other than that move out of that room the builders will need access

https://thetenantsvoice.co.uk/

I'm pretty sure he could claim from the landlords building insurance. 'Move the telly' doesn't absolve them.

As it happened today, unlikely the ceiling could be repaired today as well. The landlord should get the ceiling repaired but could be awhile.

If the rain is coming in contact with electrics/wiring, an electrician should be sent out ASAP by the letting agent to ensure the flat is safe to stay in. If it isn’t, then they will need to evacuate and the landlord has to pay for a hotel or other accommodation until the ceiling is repaired OR the council will have to house them if the landlord has no money for this.

There’s no right of compensation to their possessions. That is what contents insurance/renters insurance is for.

If you have homeowners insurance did you know you can add a Uni student in a private rented flat to your policy for very little? To include personal property coverage if say a bicycle or laptop were stolen while on campus? Something to consider for the future.

Thanks so much for all the advice. Some great pointers.

Environmental housing/housing standards at their local council can advise as live wires with rain pouring in is a health and safety hazard. He should not sleep in the room and they should turn off the power to the electrical circuits supplying the room at the breaker on the circuit board as it is a fire risk (lighting circuit is probably the one for the ceiling wire). Landlord has a duty to fix the ceiling.

I told our landlord about a hole in our bathroom floor! 3 months later, he got a joiner in. There was wet rot throughout the whole house! We had to leave that day ....
We went to CAB and Shelter. Xx