Croydon house collapse leaves Love Lane residents waiting for repairs

A house on Love Lane, South Norwood, partially collapsed in July 2025, leaving residents waiting for permanent repairs. The frontage of 58 Love Lane fell onto the pavement on 22 July, prompting Croydon Council to install temporary supports. The building remains unsafe, and the council says the private owner is responsible for fixing it.

Mitch and Vicky Gibbons, who live next door with their young child, say they warned the council about cracks in the render for more than a year. They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the collapse could have injured someone if it had happened during the day. The Gibbons moved into their home in April 2024, when the neighbouring property already showed signs of neglect.

Council installs supports but owner has not acted

Croydon Council said its building control team visited the property several times, most recently in July 2026. A structural engineer inspected the site and installed additional supports to reduce the immediate risk. The council told MyLondon it is investigating the cause and will use every power available to secure a permanent solution.

The council also said the property is privately owned, meaning the owner must pay for repairs. Residents say they have never seen the owner at the site. Utility companies have sent bailiffs to the property, according to posts on a local Facebook group. The owner of 58 Love Lane and the connected property at 60 Love Lane did not respond when the LDRS visited.

Residents fear subsidence and falling property values

The Gibbons say the collapse has already affected their home. A large crack now runs between 58 Love Lane and the connected property at 60 Love Lane. They told the LDRS the neglected building is making their street less attractive to buyers and could force them to spend money they do not have on repairs.

Residents suspect long-running subsidence issues. Mitch Gibbons said surveyors had inspected the site several times before the collapse. The Gibbons and other neighbours hope the council will use compulsory purchase powers to take over the property if the owner does not act.

Local Green Councillor Laura Bradnam submitted casework to the council after residents raised concerns in May 2025. She told the LDRS the issue had been ongoing for more than a year. The council had installed some safety measures before the collapse, but further damage occurred in July 2025.

What happens next

Croydon Council said it will continue to monitor the property and use every power available to secure a lasting solution. The council has not said when it expects the owner to act or whether it will use compulsory purchase powers. Residents can report concerns about dangerous structures to the council’s building control team.