Essex · London and the South East
Landlord Roof Survey in Arkesden
Not sure what state the let or shared roof is in? You can book a landlord roof survey in Arkesden and across Essex.
- Ponding or splits on flat roofs
- Leaks into upper flats
- Choked outlets and gutters
Checking the roof from the ground
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
How a landlord roof survey works in Arkesden
Some landlords book a survey when they buy a property to let, or after a tenant reports a leak. Others want a regular survey for a rolling maintenance plan. The report is laid out the same way whatever the reason, with photos and recommendations. Surveys are carried out on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays which can help when arranging access with residents. We survey blocks of flats, gutters and downpipes and converted houses, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are failed flashings at walls and chimneys and worn ridges, hips and verges.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are often the first to give way.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Place
- Arkesden (CB11)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Nearby places to Arkesden
More services for Arkesden
When you need someone else
A survey is a close look at the let or shared roof, but it can’t do everything. The main limits are:
- Asbestos testing of roof sheets or soffits
- Areas behind locked flats or blocked hatches
- The structure in the way a structural engineer would assess it
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Shared roofs
- Gutters and downpipes
- Blocks of flats
- Rented houses
- Converted houses
- Flat roofs on blocks
Local roofs in Arkesden
Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, and plenty of post-war and modern estates besides. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. The wider area around Arkesden has a long history of building, with Audley End House about 3.5 miles north-east. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you own a rental within reach of Audley End station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Mary the Virgin, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs. If you look after a building such as Joyce Frankland Academy, large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other.
Arkesden is about 4 miles south-west of Saffron Walden, in Essex. We visit Arkesden as part of our work across Essex, for homes and businesses alike. Our Essex coverage includes Arkesden and the places around it. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Landlord roof surveys in CB11 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We cover properties on Clatterbury Lane, Wicken Road and Hampit Road. Nearby, we also carry out landlord roof surveys in Hill Green (1 mile south), Wicken Bonhunt (1 mile south-east), Clavering (2 miles south-west), Starling's Green (2 miles south-west) and Langley (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Harlow (15 miles south), Saffron Walden (4 miles north-east), Great Dunmow (12 miles south-east), Stansted Mountfitchet (6 miles south), Newhall (15 miles south) and Elsenham (6 miles south-east).
Near you in Arkesden
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Axe And Compasses Inn. The nearest railway station is Audley End station, roughly 2.3 miles north-east of the centre. A little further out are Saffron Walden Community Hospital (4.9 miles north-east) and The Warren (4 miles west).
How the survey works
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it’s applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take about one to two hours for a house, and longer for a block or a building with several roofs. Cottages and farmhouses around Arkesden often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We start with what you know about the building and its history.
- We let you know which flats and hatches we need to reach.
- We check coverings, flashings, gutters and chimneys where they can be seen.
- We note what couldn’t be seen as well as what could.
- Findings and recommendations are set out with photos.
How to prepare
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
Booking is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, tell us about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Related advice
Surveys for landlords and agents in Arkesden
Landlords, agents and building managers in Arkesden and across Essex can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Landlords and letting agents in Arkesden book surveys as well as homeowners. A written report with photographs gives you a clear record of the let or shared roof, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Arrange flat access in advance
- Keep roof outlets and gutters clear
- Put urgent roof work at the top of the list
- Make sure the roof space can be accessed
We do not advise on leases or who should pay. Our report sets out the roof’s condition to help those discussions.
Deal with the high-priority defects quickly, and plan the rest. Left alone, minor faults typically get worse.
Questions from Arkesden
Can a landlord with a rental near Audley End station book a roof survey?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and what you need, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Will you come out to Arkesden?
Yes, Arkesden is covered. We survey roofs across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. Where a material might contain it, such as old cement sheets on a building from before 2000, the report flags it.
Does someone need to be in?
Someone needs to let us in if we’re looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you when booking.
How do I arrange a landlord roof survey in Arkesden?
The quickest way is to phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Let us know the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll recommend the right survey. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs on blocks and rear additions
Flat roof outlets often clog leaving water standing. They’re checked during the survey.
Roof spaces and lofts
The roof space shows a lot about a roof’s condition. We go into the loft where it is safe, looking for staining, damp and daylight.