Greater London · London and the South East
Landlord roof survey in Blackfriars, Greater London
Get a clear view of the let or shared roof at a property in Blackfriars from an independent roof surveyor. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Missing or loose roof coverings
- Leaks into upper flats
- Cracked or lifting flashings
Landlord roof surveys for homes and businesses in Blackfriars
With a shared roof, it’s not always clear what’s wrong or where. We inspect the roof as far as it can safely be seen, including from the loft space and the flats where access is arranged. The report records the condition of each part giving all parties the same information. We can only inspect the parts of a shared roof we are allowed to reach. We survey rented houses, blocks of flats and converted houses, and people most often book us about damaged pots and flaunching and ponding or splits on flat roofs.
A London butterfly roof slopes down to a central valley gutter that drains to the back of the house. From the street you see only a parapet wall, so blocked outlets and split linings go unnoticed until water comes through a ceiling. If your home in Blackfriars has one, it needs checking from somewhere that can actually see it.
The report doesn’t just list problems. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Location
- Blackfriars (SE1, EC1M, EC1N)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
When to book a survey in Blackfriars
A tenant reporting damp or a stained ceiling is a common reason to book. We check whether the roof or rainwater system is the likely cause from what’s visible.
People usually book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Cracked or lifting flashings
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
- Damaged party-wall upstands or parapets
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Mercers' School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their report turnaround times
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- What experience they bring
Landlord roof surveys around Blackfriars
Dr Johnson's House, about 0.2 miles north-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Blackfriars. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Many homes in inner London are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often with Welsh slate roofs. A butterfly roof with a central valley gutter, tucked behind a parapet wall, is common on these houses. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
Living close to Bernie Spain Gardens is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn. For landlords with property near London Blackfriars station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Blackfriars is about 1 mile north-west of London, in Greater London. From houses to flats and shops in Blackfriars, the roof can be surveyed on a weekday or at the weekend. Across Greater London, we cover Blackfriars.
Surveys in SE1, EC1M and EC1N are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Oat Lane, Bear Lane and Shoe Lane, and we cover them all. Blackfriars is on the A4 and A40, which makes it simple to reach. Close by, we survey roofs in Temple (1 mile west), Temple Bar (1 mile west), Bankside (1 mile south-east), Smithfield (1 mile north) and Clare Market (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (3 miles south).
Near you in Blackfriars
In Blackfriars, that means homes and buildings near Barts Health Archives, St Mary-at-Hill and St Alban's Church of England Primary School and the streets around them. You will also find Bernie Spain Gardens (within half a mile south-west), London Nautical School (0.5 miles south-west) and The Black Friar pub (within half a mile south-east). There is a railway station in Blackfriars itself: London Blackfriars station. Other landmarks nearby include Montfichet's Tower (less than half a mile north-east) and St Brides Crypt Museum (under half a mile north-west). For a walk, there’s Barnsbury Wood and St. James's Park Lake.
Useful tips for Blackfriars property owners
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Put urgent roof work at the top of the list
- Hold on to old reports to compare later
- Keep the loft hatch clear and reachable
- Make leak reporting easy for tenants
The report can feed straight into a maintenance plan. You can start with the urgent items and plan the rest over time.
Keep gutters and outlets clear, particularly on blocks with valleys or parapets. Many leaks into top flats start with a blocked gutter.
Prices for landlord roof surveys in Blackfriars
We confirm the exact price before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- Whether it’s a home or a commercial building
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The size of the roof
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
What we need to know
These details help when you contact us:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We will confirm the price before you book.
Why get it checked now?
A leak in a block rarely stays in one place. Early surveys help avoid damage spreading between flats. In Blackfriars, as across London, an overflowing gutter soaks the wall below, which can lead to damp inside. A small blockage left for a few winters becomes a damp problem.
We offer three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Blackfriars
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Customer satisfaction of 98%
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Over 20 years’ experience
Take a look at our cost guide or our case studies.
What we look for on each type of roof
Flat roofs on blocks and rear additions
Many blocks and rear additions have flat roofs. Ponding, splits and blistering are recorded where we can see them safely.
Gutters and downpipes
Gutters are a common source of leaks on blocks. Gutters, outlets and downpipes are inspected where they can be seen.
FAQs for Blackfriars
Is parking a problem for a survey in Blackfriars?
It can be, so it’s useful to tell us about permits, visitor bays or off-street space as you book. The visit is then planned around what’s available.
I let a flat near London Blackfriars station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, letting agents and landlords book with us as well as owners. Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Will you go up on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day. Just say which days work for you.
Are you insured?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it is applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Nearby places to Blackfriars
More services for Blackfriars
How the survey works
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so the back of the roof is frequently seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- First, we confirm the roofs and areas to be surveyed.
- You or your agent arrange access to the roof space and any flats we need to enter.
- The roofs are inspected from the ground, vantage points, the roof space and the roof where it’s safe.
- Every defect we find is photographed and given a priority where relevant.
- The report sets out condition and recommendations to help you plan.
How to prepare
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or send us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.