Tenement Roof Inspection


To book: contact@roofinspectionedinburgh.com or Tel: 0131 510 3231


Tenement roof survey presents a complex set of issues involving shared responsibility, aging structure, higher exposure to weather and lack of visibility often until it’s too late.

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The Tenement Act

Tenements or flats make up a large percentage of housing in Scottish cities built in response to soaring population during the industrial revolution. Tenements are a type of building with multiple dwellings on each floor treated as a separate house with shared entrance and stairway. Some of Edinburgh’s tenements date back to 17th century and have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Over hundreds of years, custom grew to become law concerning maintenance and repairs. In Scotland, these are now governed by the Tenements (Scotland) Act, a system of common ownership and procedures concerning repairs and maintenance of tenements. Tenement roof inspection and maintenance is necessary, under Scottish law each flat owner bears equal responsibility.
Our independent roof survey provides clear and impartial repair assessment and can help settle roof repair disputes. Tenement roof repairs, decision making and billing must be dealt with democratically with an equal contribution made by each flat owner. Edinburgh council have a useful toolkit you can download containing checklists and letter templates you can download here.

Tenement Roof Issues

Our specialist assessors have a set survey procedure that systematically covers the roof structure with additional focus where common roof faults occur. Findings are reviewed in detail and any tenement roof damage scored and remedial action discussed. Damage is a concern not only for water ingress to flats below but is also a matter of public safety. Several fatal accidents have occurred in the city from falling masonry such as coping stones. Up to 179 reports of falling masonry were reported in Edinburgh 2019.

Roof Pitches

Slate tiles may be missing, slipped, cracked or poorly repaired

Flat Roofs

Felt roofing may be porous, poorly bonded or torn from wind damage

Flashing & Cupola

Flashing may be missing, corroded clips and cupola glass may crack

Chimneys & Masonary

Pots, mortar and rendering crack over time. Masonry may fall

Rainwater Fittings

Gutters may require cleaning. Iron gutters crack and leak from ice damage

Antenna

TV aerial, satellite and fixings become dislodged or bent

Tenement Roof Maintenance

Shared building owners should aim for a predictive maintenance program rather than reacting to damage and leaks. Maintaining an ongoing record of work is essential to track work done and warranty period. An ideal way to do this is a roof journal maintained by the group. We can assist to performing an annual inspection to check changes and report back to the group.

  • Checklist

  • Every year: clean gutters, perform roof inspection and minor repairs. Check flashing on the roof and cupolas. Check chimney heads and chimney pots.
  • Every 5-10 years: repair felt roof coverings. Check and repair harling and render cement coatings. Paint gutters and downpipes.
  • Every 10-20 years: replace pointing between stone/brick walls. Renew renderi cotings on walls or chimneys.
  • Every 20-30 years: replace felt roof coverings, major overhaul of tiling on roofs.
  • Every 40-50 years: replace lead roofs, replace tiled roofs, maintenance to sandstone masonry and chimney heads.
  • Every 50-100 years: replace slated roofs, replace cast iron gutters and downpipes.

Roof Survey Services Pricing

We undertake tenement roof inspection for condition monitoring, prepurchase, insurance claims and repair estimates. We can provide drone thermographic inspection for flat roof leak detection. Due to the science of thermography two surveys are conducted one at day and one after dark. Imagery captured is processed for evaluation and reporting.

Small Inspection

£189
  • Small Building
  • Two pitches & chimneys
  • Roof Area 50-100m sq
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Large Inspection

£249
  • Larger Building
  • Several pitches, dormers, chimneys
  • Roof Area 100-200m sq
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Specialist Items

C4£
  • Flat roof leak analysis
  • Internal inspection
  • Physical inspection
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Contact Us

5 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AN

Phone: (0131 510 3231)