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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
bricks, stone, render, or other masonry are loose or falling from a building

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move away from the building and keep other people clear of the area beneath the loose material. Call 999 if debris is falling now, anyone is injured or trapped, or there is an immediate danger to people; otherwise report the dangerous structure promptly to the local council.

Do not do these things

  • Do not stand beneath the damaged area to inspect it.
  • Do not touch, pull, push, climb on, or try to remove loose material.
  • Do not use a ladder, roof, balcony, scaffold, or window to get a closer look.
  • Do not walk through an affected entrance or passage unless the emergency services or another competent person has confirmed it is safe.
  • Do not enter a visibly unstable area to collect belongings.
  • Do not assume that small fallen pieces mean the remaining masonry is secure.
  • Do not place barriers in a road or put yourself in danger while warning others.
  • Do not let children, visitors, workers, or pets approach the area.

What to do now

  1. Move well clear of the affected wall and anything above it, including balconies, chimneys, parapets, gables, ledges, and projecting stonework. Use another exit only if you can reach it without passing beneath the damaged area.

  2. Warn nearby people from a safe position. Keep entrances, paths, gardens, parking spaces, pavements, and other areas beneath the masonry clear where you can do so without approaching the hazard.

  3. Call 999 if masonry is actively falling, part of the structure appears at risk of collapse, people cannot be kept away from immediate danger, or someone is injured or trapped. Give the exact location, describe what is falling, and say whether anyone is at risk or hurt.

  4. If there is no immediate emergency, report the structure to the local council service responsible for dangerous buildings, dangerous structures, building control, or building standards. Provide the address, the affected part of the building, what you have seen, and whether it is above a pavement, road, entrance, or neighbouring property.

  5. From a safe location only, take a few photographs showing the wider building and the affected area. Do not move closer, stand underneath the masonry, climb, or lean from a window to obtain a better image.

  6. Notify the building owner, landlord, managing agent, factor, housing association, or premises manager. State clearly that masonry is loose or has fallen and identify any entrance or area that cannot safely be used.

  7. Keep people away until the emergency services, council, or a suitably competent building professional has assessed the danger. If your normal entrance is beneath the damage, ask the responsible person or emergency services about a safe alternative.

  8. If someone has been struck, call 999 and remain in a safe place. Do not move them unless leaving them where they are exposes them to an immediate further danger, and follow the call handler’s instructions.

What can wait

You do not need to determine the exact cause, decide who is legally responsible, choose a permanent repair, obtain quotations, clean up debris beneath an unsafe area, or resolve an insurance claim now. These matters can wait until people are safe and the immediate danger has been assessed.

Important reassurance

Moving away, keeping others clear, and reporting the danger are useful actions even when you cannot judge how serious the defect is. You are not expected to inspect unstable masonry or decide whether the building is structurally safe yourself.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and reporting steps for loose or falling masonry. Inspection, temporary works, repairs, insurance, tenancy matters, and responsibility for costs may require the local council, emergency services, building owner, insurer, or an appropriately qualified building professional.

Important note

This is general safety information, not structural, legal, insurance, or other professional advice. Follow instructions from the emergency services and the relevant local authority, and do not enter or approach an area they have restricted.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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