West Sussex · London and the South East
Landlord roof survey in River, West Sussex
Know where you stand with the let or shared roof before you decide what to do next. Landlord roof surveys in River, with photos and a clear written report.
- Ceiling stains reported by tenants
- Gutters overflowing onto walls
- Flashings that have come away
Landlord roof survey in River: what you get
A roof over tenants or leaseholders often gets attention only when water comes in. Surveying the roof first helps you spot defects early so work can be planned, not rushed. The findings come in a written report with photos that you can keep with the building’s records. Many clients repeat the survey on a rolling basis to see how the roof is changing. If you’ve noticed damaged party-wall upstands or parapets and ceiling stains reported by tenants, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Somewhere as small as River, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are frequently old. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. On older roofs, it is usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
What you get is a clear record of the let or shared roof on the day we saw it. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Place
- River (GU28)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Can I check my roof myself?
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery. That’s where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Towns and villages near River
Also in River
FAQs for River
Do you carry out roof surveys in River?
We do. The survey and report are the same in River as anywhere else.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in River?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
How do I arrange a landlord roof survey in River?
Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
Will the survey cover the whole building?
No. Our survey covers the roof and its parts, not the whole property. It is not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey or a structural engineer’s report.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it is applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator.
Can we use the survey to plan a roof budget?
Yes. Recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant, which helps you plan work and budgets. Repair costs are not included, but contractors can price from it.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
What we look for on each type of roof
Party-wall upstands and parapets
Parapet walls often hide gutters behind them. They’re checked where safe access allows.
Flat roofs on blocks and rear additions
Felt flat roofs often need replacing after around 15–20 years, so their age matters.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in River
About 2.4 miles east lies Petworth House, a reminder of how long the area around River has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. 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.
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. Anywhere in River, we can carry out landlord roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. River is one of the places in West Sussex where we work. Our Guildford page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in GU28 is within our area for landlord roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Neighbouring places we cover for landlord roof surveys include Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Landmarks near River
We work in homes and buildings around The Hollist Arms Public House and the streets around them. Nearby you will also find Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). For a walk, there is Graffham Common and Blackdown.
How it works
The visit normally starts outside and finishes in the loft: outside views come first, then the loft space if there’s safe access. In total, it takes roughly 1–2 hours for a house, and longer for a block or a building with several roofs. In a small place like River, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- We start by agreeing the scope, roof by roof.
- Access to flats and the loft space is arranged with you in advance.
- We inspect each roof from safe vantage points, the roof space and the roof itself where safe.
- We photograph each defect and note how urgent it looks.
- The report sets out condition and recommendations to help you plan.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check pets are kept safely away
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- Let us know about parking before the day
How to book
To book a survey, call 07833 053749 or email us and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
Leave it or get it looked at?
Finding a roof defect early usually means a smaller, planned job. Left until it leaks, a roof can damage ceilings and tenants’ belongings and force rushed work. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like River, driving rain gets into any weakness, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in River
- 98% of customers satisfied
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
What we can’t see
We only report what can be seen safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- Legal advice on leases or service charges
- A full building survey of every part of the property
- A full structural assessment of the building
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Blocks of flats
- Rented houses
- Converted houses
- Shared roofs
- Flat roofs on blocks
Common roof problems in River
On a shared roof, it’s not always clear who should act. Each party may assume someone else is dealing with it and work gets delayed. A condition report gives everyone the same starting point.
People normally book a survey after spotting something like this:
- Flashings that have come away
- Gutters overflowing onto walls
- Chimney stacks in poor repair
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
Take an older house close to The Parish Church of St Peter: old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs.
Before booking anyone
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- How soon the report will arrive