Fixing ceiling?

[AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii]

We’re in the middle of decorating our hallway and the ceiling is ply board we think? Some kind of board but there are some hefty cracks in it and we’re not sure how best to repair? Could we reboard over it? I don’t want to paper it and would rather fix the issue if possible, I’m going to try and sand it back today to see if I can see if it’s an actual crack or just paint but I suspect there is damage there

Ok so I’ve scraped some back and it appears to be board with a plaster skim over it, having spoken to a plasterer they don’t recommend skimming it as the cracks will keep appearing due to people walking around upstairs (old house) unsure what to do next

A picture would be helpful. You might be able to scrape the loose plaster out of the cracks to widen it and then screw the boards into the ceiling a bit more securely, scrim tape over the cracks and the get it skimmed? Of may efle ible filler like decorators caulk would work in the cracks?

Can't really comment on plaster on ply board, but you could add a floating ceiling with proper plaster board but that would be expensive. Paper may be the best budget friendly option.

Sorry I did mean to attach photos!

it’s a housing association house so we’re a bit restricted to what we can do and they won’t touch it as it’s cosmetic but I would like my home to look nice which isn’t a crime, hoping we can fix it well enough it won’t be noticeable but it is at the minute. We’ll take it all back as much as possible but it’s finding something that won’t just crack again? We have ready mixed plaster? Pollyfiller wont cut it I don’t think?

my other idea was to get DH to put new wood panels over it like he has under the stairs but he isn’t keen due to electrical wiring etc?