Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

West Sussex · London and the South East

Landlord roof survey in Colwood, West Sussex

An experienced roof surveyor for landlord roof surveys in Colwood. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.

  • Damp or stains in top-floor flats
  • Chimney stacks in poor repair
  • Parapets and upstands in poor repair

Landlord roof surveys for Colwood homes and businesses

How a landlord roof survey works in Colwood

Managing agents and freeholders use our reports to plan maintenance and budgets. It shows what needs attention now and what can be planned for later, as far as can be judged from what’s visible. It does not include repair cost estimates but contractors can price from it. Urgent defects are flagged clearly, so you can deal with it first and budget for the rest. If you are worried about ponding or splits on flat roofs and ceiling stains reported by tenants, a survey will tell you what’s going on.

In a small place like Colwood, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. 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 frequently the first to give way.

After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the let or shared roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.

Illustration of several rented properties with a roof condition checklist
Place
Colwood (RH17)
Wider area
West Sussex
Price
From £150 inc. VAT
Your report
Emailed report with photos and recommendations
Survey days
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insured
Professional indemnity and public liability
Phone
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

Colwood homes and their roofs

Many older homes in Sussex have handmade clay tiles and tile-hung walls. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. Historic houses like Tyes Place, about 3.4 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Colwood goes. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.

Colwood is about 5 miles north-west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. We visit Colwood as part of our work across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.

We survey roofs across RH17 for landlord roof surveys. If you need a landlord roof survey at a property on Earwig Lane and Cross Colwood Lane or a nearby road, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out landlord roof surveys in Crabtree (1 mile north-west), Lower Beeding (2 miles north-west), Slaugham (3 miles north), Plummers Plain (3 miles north) and Monk's Gate (3 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (8 miles north), Horsham (6 miles north-west), Worthing (15 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (6 miles east), Burgess Hill (5 miles south-east) and East Grinstead (13 miles north-east).

Landmarks near Colwood

We work in homes and buildings around Leonardslee. Nearby you’ll also find The Dene Hospital (3.8 miles south-east) and Cuckfield Museum (3.7 miles east). The countryside around Colwood includes Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.

Map of Colwood © OpenStreetMap contributors

Colwood questions

Does a conservation area affect roof work in Colwood?

We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case.

Will you come out to Colwood?

Yes. Colwood is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.

Who usually books a landlord or block roof survey?

Landlords, letting agents, managing agents and freeholders book it, as well as RTM and residents’ management companies. Owners in a shared building book it too.

I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?

Yes, if whoever owns or manages the building agrees access. We check the parts we are given access to.

What if it rains on the day?

It can, depending on the survey. Drones cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. If the conditions aren’t right, we’ll talk to you about another date.

Do I need to be at home?

If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We will talk about access when booking.

What does a block roof survey cost?

Prices start from £150, including VAT. The building’s size, roofs and access all affect the price. For a price, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.

Honest limits

A survey is a close look at the let or shared roof, but it cannot do everything. The main limits are:

  • The rest of the building, as a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey would
  • Asbestos testing of roof sheets or soffits
  • Structural calculations or an engineer’s report

Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you before booking. What our survey covers.

What this survey covers

  • Gutters and downpipes
  • Shared roofs
  • Flat roofs on blocks
  • Rented houses
  • Blocks of flats
  • Converted houses

What happens on the day

We check the roof from outside and, where it’s relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. The whole visit usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for a single let house, with blocks of flats taking longer. Older roofs in small places like Colwood can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.

  1. We agree the roofs to be surveyed and what you need the report for.
  2. You arrange access to the loft and any flats we need.
  3. Each roof is looked at from safe vantage points and inside where possible.
  4. Every defect is photographed and its urgency noted where relevant.
  5. A written condition report follows to help you plan.

Getting ready for the survey

  • If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
  • For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
  • Unlock side gates and any roof access doors

Getting a price

Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there’s time to use the report before exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.

Book a survey

Related advice

Practical tips

Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:

  • Do not store items over the loft hatch
  • Ask your managing agent about lease terms
  • Put urgent roof work at the top of the list
  • Keep past survey reports with the building’s records

We do not advise on leases or who should pay. Our report sets out the roof’s condition that everyone can refer to.

Get gutters and roof outlets cleared at least once a year, particularly on blocks with valleys or parapets. Blocked gutters are a common cause of leaks into top-floor flats.

Common roof problems in Colwood

Tenants and leaseholders rarely look at the roof. Slipped slates, cracked flashings and blocked gutters can sit unnoticed for years particularly where the roof cannot be seen from the street.

Signs worth acting on include:

  • Loose ridge or hip tiles
  • Flashings that have come away
  • Splits and blisters in flat roof coverings
  • Missing or loose roof coverings

Homes near green spaces such as Leonardslee can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall.

Before booking any roof surveyor

  • What experience they bring
  • Whether you get a written report with photos
  • Their insurance cover
  • Whether VAT is added on top

What to expect from a roof survey

What affects the price in Colwood

Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:

  • Which survey package you book
  • Roof area
  • The shape of the roof and its details
  • If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone

Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.

Getting in touch

The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it’s useful to mention:

  • Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
  • Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
  • Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
  • Dates you’re working to, such as exchange

To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or email us and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.

Landlord and commercial surveys in Colwood

Landlords, agents and building managers in Colwood and across West Sussex can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.

Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the survey around it.

20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT