Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Landlord roof survey in Garston, Hertfordshire
Independent landlord roof surveys in Garston. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Gaps where tiles or slates have slipped
- Damp or stains in top-floor flats
- Splits and blisters in flat roof coverings
Different roofs, different checks
Gutters and downpipes
Hidden gutters on larger buildings can send water indoors. We give them close attention.
Shared chimney stacks
Chimneys often let water in at the flashings. We record anything visible.
Landlord roof survey in Garston
Access needs arranging before a survey of a let or shared building. We may need to get into the loft space and some or all of the flats and residents will need to be told in advance. You or your agent arrange access and we will say what we need when booking. Any part we couldn’t reach is noted in the report. We survey rented houses, shared roofs and flat roofs on blocks, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are loose ridge or hip tiles and blocked gutters over flats.
In a smaller place like Garston, some roofs stand more exposed to wind and rain than in a built-up town. Ridge tiles, verges, chimney stacks and flashings take the worst of it. Checking those edges shows whether anything has begun to work loose. A loose ridge tile or slate gives the wind something to catch, and others soon follow.
The report records the let or shared roof as we found it on the day. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, such as when you want to compare after future work.
- Location
- Garston (WD25, WD24, AL2)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey cannot tell you
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- Responsibility under a lease
- Parts of the roof we cannot safely see or access
- The rest of the building, as a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey would
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Garston
- Rented houses
- Blocks of flats
- Gutters and downpipes
- Converted houses
- Shared roofs
- Flat roofs on blocks
What a landlord roof survey looks like in Garston
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. With High Elms Manor about 1 mile north-west, Garston sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
Anyone responsible for a site like The Grove Academy will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. For landlords with property near Garston station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Garston is about 2 miles north of Watford, in Hertfordshire. Garston is one of many places we visit across Hertfordshire, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Garston is one of the towns and villages in Hertfordshire we cover for landlord roof surveys. Our London page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in WD25, WD24 and AL2 is within our area for landlord roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on First Avenue, Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Garston: Meriden (1 mile south), Leavesden (1 mile north-west), North Watford (1 mile south), Aldenham (2 miles south-east) and Watford (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Hemel Hempstead (6 miles north-west), St Albans (5 miles north-east), Welwyn Garden City (11 miles north-east), Harpenden (9 miles north), Cheshunt (14 miles east) and Hatfield (8 miles north-east).
What’s near Garston
Around Garston, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Francis Combe Academy and Garston Park, among other places. There is a railway station in Garston itself: Garston station. Other landmarks nearby include Leavesden Hospital (1.4 miles north-west) and Charter Place (2.3 miles south). For a walk, there’s Longspring Wood and Verulamium Lake.
Other services in Garston
How the survey works
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours for a single let house, with blocks of flats taking longer. Parking around Garston is normally easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from ground level, with the loft showing the underside.
- First, we confirm the roofs and areas to be surveyed.
- Access to flats and the roof space is arranged with you in advance.
- The roofs are inspected from the ground, vantage points, the loft space and the roof where it’s safe.
- We photograph each defect and note how urgent it looks.
- You get a written condition report to help plan maintenance.
Before we arrive
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
How to book
You can call us seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Read more
Common roof problems in Garston
A single building may have pitched roofs, flat roofs and rear additions. They all age at different rates and the smaller roofs are easy to forget.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Parapets and upstands in poor repair
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Chimney stacks in poor repair
- Choked outlets and gutters
For an older house near a landmark such as Stanborough Park Church, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Their track record with similar roofs
- Will the report include photos?
FAQs for Garston
Is my home in Garston listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Garston station?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. You can phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details, including who will give access on the day.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey is a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey of the whole building. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Will you go up on the roof?
Not unless it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone, and the report notes anything we couldn’t see.
Can we use the survey to plan a roof budget?
Yes, many agents and freeholders use it that way. Surveying again later shows what has changed to keep your plan up to date.
Do you cover Garston?
Yes. Garston is part of the area we cover, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there’s safe access. We look for staining, damp, daylight and signs of movement, as far as the space allows.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Finding a roof defect early normally means a smaller, planned job. Waiting for a leak can mean damage to ceilings, decorations and tenants’ belongings, plus urgent call-outs. With lower homes, common in places like Garston, there is little between a roof defect and the ceiling, so water can show inside quickly once it gets past the covering. Catching the cause first saves redecorating as well.
Landlord roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, including VAT.
What you get with us
- Package prices that include VAT
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- An independent look at the roof
- Over 20 years’ experience
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
DIY checks: what’s safe
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from the ground or a window. Water spilling over the edge can be a sign of a blockage or a gutter that has dropped.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date.