If you own or manage rented homes or a block of flats, the roof is one of the most expensive parts of the building to get wrong. A small fault left too long can mean damage to a top-floor flat, an unhappy tenant and an urgent job at the worst possible time.
This guide explains why landlords, letting agents, managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys, what a condition report covers and how it helps with planning.
Why landlords commission roof surveys
The usual reasons are:
- Buying a rental property and wanting to know the roof’s condition before exchange.
- Taking on a new building as a managing agent, with little history of past work.
- A leak or complaint from a tenant that needs tracing.
- Planning maintenance over the next few years and setting budgets.
- Getting the facts before asking roofers to quote, so everyone prices the same work.
What a condition report covers
A landlord roof survey looks at the main roof coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys, gutters and downpipes, flat roofs and the roof space where there’s safe access. The written report has photographs and recommendations, prioritised by urgency. It explains which defects need attention now and which can be watched or planned for.
We inspect what can be seen safely: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, from inside and, where applicable, by drone. On taller blocks, a drone roof survey is often the practical way to see the whole roof.
Shared roofs and blocks of flats
On a block or a converted house, the roof is usually shared. It may cover several flats, with one owner or company responsible for it. A clear, independent report helps everyone see the same facts: what’s wrong, where, and how urgent it is. That’s useful when costs are shared between leaseholders. Our guide to leasehold roof repairs covers how this usually works.
Access matters on shared roofs. We may need access to a top-floor flat, a communal loft hatch or a roof door. It helps to arrange this with residents in advance.
Want a roof surveyed? We cover London and the South East, with written reports and photos from £150 including VAT. Book a survey or call 07833 053749.
Using the report to plan maintenance
A roof report is most useful when it feeds into a plan. Many managing agents use one to:
- deal with urgent items straight away
- schedule smaller repairs and gutter clearing
- budget for larger work, such as a flat roof replacement, in later years
- brief roofers so their quotes are like for like
- check work after it’s done.
Repeat surveys every few years let you compare photographs and see how defects change. Our Premium Survey includes a 12-month follow-up review.
Commercial and mixed-use buildings
Shops with flats above, offices and small units often have flat roofs, rooflights and box gutters. These need a different eye. See our guide to commercial roof surveys and our flat roof survey page. Older buildings may also have materials that could contain asbestos, which our report will flag for a specialist to check.
What a roof survey isn’t
It isn’t a full building survey, a fire risk assessment, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It looks at the roof and related rainwater goods. If we see something outside that scope that worries us, we’ll mention it and suggest who should look at it. See what our survey covers.
Quick answers
Can you survey several properties in one go?
Yes, we can plan visits to more than one property. Get in touch with the addresses and we’ll talk through timings and prices.
Do tenants need to be home?
Only if we need access inside, for example to a loft hatch in their flat. Agreeing access with tenants in advance helps the visit go smoothly.
Can the report go to the managing agent and residents?
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it, such as directors, residents or contractors.
Related services
More advice
- Leasehold Flats: Who Pays for Roof Repairs?
- Commercial Roof Surveys: Rooflights and Sheeting
- Comparing Roofer Quotes: What to Check
- How Much Does a Roof Survey Cost?
- All advice
This guide is general information about roofs and roof surveys. It isn’t legal, insurance or structural engineering advice; for those, speak to a suitably qualified professional.