cracks in paintwork

[MorningPurples]

I live in a rented house. It's quite old (victorian? not sure really, maybe a bit older).

I've lived here for 10 years. It was painted just before I moved in, and never since. There are cracks in the paintwork all along the edges of the ceilings (where the walls meet the ceiling), in quite a few places. Occasionally thin cracks in the paint down the walls.

Is this just normal for a house of this age that hasn't been painted regularly, or does it indicate some kind of structural problem? I know houses do move a certain amount, but I don't know how much is normal. (I grew up in a very new house!). I don't like reporting things to my landlords if they are just trivial, and if it's just cosmetic then I won't bother until they (eventually) decide that it needs redecorating. But if it's something more serious then maybe I should. I'd rather not mention anything if I don't have to! (They never come to inspect).

So are cracks normal after 10 years without re-painting?

Very very normal. It probably means some of the plaster is blown ie a bit separated from the wall behind. Or possibly a bit of movement, but nothing major. Only worry if the cracks get large (I've heard the test is if they are big enough to slide a pound coin into).

oh thank you. They're not that big at all.. Just ugly, but I can live with that. I didn't want my landlords to say later on though that I should have reported some big problem!

the crack between ceiling and walls is very common, it's because the two parts of the structure move independently because they are made of different materials. A ceiling will actually move up and down a bit with changes in the wind, and with people walking around above. If the crack is two to four inches below the ceiling, usually on the top floor, it will usually be because there is a wooden "wall plate" on top of the inner brickwork, and timber expands and contracts with humidity changes. Wallpaper will hide it, fillers will usually crack even if "flexible".

Coving will conceal it.

Thin cracks down the walls are very common and no big deal. Tap it with your knuckles, if it sounds hollow and the rest of the wall doesn't it might be blown, otherwise it might be a shrinkage crack. These are usually raked out and filled when redecorating.

A crack which keeps growing, however, needs more attention as it suggests a structural defect in the brickwork.