Chimney breast sounds hollow in some places and solid in others

[Autumndaysare]

We’ve just moved into a rented house and after moving in realised the downstairs chimney breast has been removed leaving the upstairs breast intact and the chimney stack too. The chimney breast that remains upstairs sounds hollow when I knock on it in some places and solid in others. Should I be concerned that it isn’t solid enough to hold the weight of the stack above it?

I understand that a proper chimney breast removal would involve support beams being put in to hold the weight of what remains but the state of the ceiling in the living room is suggesting it may be a bit of a previous tenant bodge job type situation :(

Yes, I would be concerned. I'd ask the Landlord for evidence that the removal was done correctly.

Is the chimney breast plastered? It sounds like the plaster may have blown in places. This is not a structural defect in itself, it just means the layer of plaster has come away from the wall, but I would still notify the landlord so they can check it out and hopefully rule out any major problems that might have caused the issue.

NB as the pp suggests, removal of a chimney breast is classified as notifiable works under Building Control regulations, so there should have been a sign-off certificate. I'm not sure what rights you, as tenants, have to insist on seeing it, and unfortunately, building control records are not public documents, but hopefully your landlord will be able to put your minds at rest.

Correct removal of a downstairs section of a fireplace (depends when it was done, of course) necessitates some support which can be done at floor level, be it wooden/steel joists.

Depends whereabouts on the stack you are tapping. Chimneys aren't straight up and down. Then tend to 'veer' to allow the upstairs fire to be located centrally in the track.

If you tap where a fire would be, I'd expect there to sound hollow if the haven't bricked it up (usually just boarded over). If you're tapping elsewhere and it sounds hollow, then there may be an issue.

Hi if you had these issues in rented property what do you think the problem would be?
I've been told need more ventilation!

It will be hollow where the fire opening is. ie that’s the fireplace.
When grd fl chimney breasts are removed a lintel will have been put in at ceiling level to give support to the stack above.
If you have a metal detector you could check for it ( yes it works😀) or make a small hole and have a peak. Or ask your landlord.

Yes needs ventilation.
Are there trickle vents on the windows.