Greater London · London and the South East
Landlord Roof Survey in Shadwell
Roof condition reports for landlords, agents and blocks of flats in Shadwell, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Flashings that have come away
- Gutters overflowing onto walls
- Worn ridges, hips and verges
What we are asked to look at in Shadwell
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, as far as can be seen.
These are some of the problems a survey can pick up:
- Cracked or leaning shared chimneys
- Splits and blisters in flat roof coverings
- Ceiling stains reported by tenants
- Mortar falling from ridges and verges
Take an older house close to St Paul's Church: its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Before booking anyone
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
Landlord roof surveys for homes and businesses in Shadwell
A landlord roof survey shows you the state of a roof in a report you can plan around. Landlords, letting agents, managing agents and freeholders all use it along with RTM and residents’ management companies. The report covers defects, photos and recommendations set out by urgency where relevant. It’s a roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building. If you’ve noticed failed flashings at walls and chimneys and damp or stains in top-floor flats, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
London has Victorian and Edwardian terraces in almost every borough, many with Welsh slate roofs, shared chimney stacks and parapet or valley gutters. Slates can last a century or more, but the nails holding them corrode, and slates slip. Homes in Shadwell are no exception. Lead flashings and shared chimney stacks on these houses need a proper look too.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent, whichever applies.
- Location
- Shadwell (SE16, E1, E1W)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord roof surveys in Shadwell: local notes
With Mansion House about 1.9 miles west, Shadwell sits in an area with a long building history. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Close to the centre of London, a great many houses are Victorian or Edwardian terraces, many of them roofed in Welsh slate. From the street you may see only a parapet, with a butterfly roof and a valley gutter behind it draining to the back. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
For landlords with property near Wapping station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let. Living close to Russia Dock Woodland is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching.
Shadwell is about 1 mile south-east of Whitechapel, in Greater London. We survey roofs in Shadwell and the rest of Greater London, as part of our work across London and the South East. Shadwell is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work.
Postcode districts we cover here for landlord roof surveys: SE16, E1 and E1W. If you need a landlord roof survey at a property on Swan Road, Thame Road and Brunel Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Shadwell sits on or near the A101 and A126, which makes travel easy. We also cover Ratcliff (1 mile north), East End of London (1 mile north-west), Wapping (1 mile west), St George in the East (1 mile west) and Limehouse (1 mile north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover City of Westminster (5 miles west), Marylebone (4 miles west), Kensington (7 miles west), St Pancras (3 miles north-west), Walthamstow (6 miles north) and Hampstead (7 miles north-west).
What’s near Shadwell
In Shadwell, that means homes and buildings near Bacon's College, Bishopsgate Institute Special Collections and Archives and Russia Dock Woodland. You will also find Prospect of Whitby pub (less than half a mile west) and St Mellitus College (0.6 miles west). There’s a railway station in Shadwell itself: Wapping station. Nearby you’ll also find St Olave's Hospital (0.8 miles south-west) and The Pumphouse Educational Museum (under half a mile east). Green spaces nearby include Lavender Pond and Tower Hill.
What a survey costs
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The height of the building and how the roof can safely be seen
- Roof area
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where applicable, from £400 including VAT. We will tell you which package suits the questions you have.
What we need to know
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The property’s address and postcode
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
Unsure which package suits your roof? It’s easiest to call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
What else we do in Shadwell
What we look for on each type of roof
Gutters and downpipes
Water from failed gutters often shows as damp inside. We record what we see.
Party-wall upstands and parapets
We inspect the parts of a shared roof we can access, and the report says what was seen.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Shadwell
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
We survey roofs for letting agents and landlords as well as householders. A report with photographs gives you a clear record of the let or shared roof, useful for planning maintenance.
Shadwell questions
I let a flat near Wapping station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents book with us as well as owners. You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and a few details, including who will give access on the day.
Is my home in Shadwell listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
What if it rains on the day?
It depends on the weather and the survey. Strong wind or a downpour can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
Will you walk on the roof?
Only when it’s safe. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where applicable, and the report records anything we couldn’t see.
How do I arrange a landlord roof survey in Shadwell?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
How long will you be at the property?
It normally takes about one to two hours for a house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. The report follows by email.
Do you look in the roof space?
Where it is relevant to the survey and there is safe access, yes. Please clear anything stored under the hatch.
How it works
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about 1–2 hours for a house, and longer for a block or a building with several roofs. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. 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.
- 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.
- The report records areas we couldn’t access.
- Findings and recommendations are set out with photographs.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Keep pets in another room
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
How to book
Landlord roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Read more
Tips that help
Small things make a difference. Some pointers:
- Ask residents to report damp straight away
- Deal with urgent items first
- Keep the loft hatch clear and reachable
- Ask your managing agent about lease terms
Photos make it easier to explain the findings to leaseholders, tenants or directors. The report is written in plain language.
Encourage residents to tell you about leaks or damp right away. The sooner you know, the smaller the problem typically is.