Roof and gutter maintenance for landlords

Why it matters

A twenty minute gutter clear can prevent a four figure damp repair and a hazard notice.

Legal requirements

• The structure and exterior, including drains, gutters and external pipes, must be kept in repair.
• Damp caused by disrepair can amount to a category one hazard.
• Awaab's Law timescales apply to prescribed damp and mould hazards where in force.
• Work at height must be carried out safely by competent contractors.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for a tenant to report a leak instead of inspecting annually.
• Clearing gutters but never checking joints and downpipe outlets.
• Treating internal mould without finding the external cause.
• Using a ladder yourself on a two storey property to save a callout.

Practical guidance

• Book a gutter clear and roof visual each autumn after leaf fall.
• Photograph the roof from ground level annually and compare year on year.
• Check loft spaces for daylight, staining and displaced insulation.
• Fix flashings and pointing early rather than waiting for interior damage.

The annual walk round

From the ground, look for slipped or missing tiles, sagging gutter lines, staining below joints, vegetation in gutters, cracked render below downpipes and blocked gullies. Inside, check the loft after heavy rain for damp timber and water marks on felt. Ten minutes twice a year catches almost everything before it reaches a tenant's bedroom wall.

When to repair and when to renew

Patch repairs make sense on a roof with years of life left and a single point of failure. Once you are paying for a third repair in five years, or the battens are perished, renewal is cheaper across the hold period and removes the recurring disruption. Get a written condition report before deciding, and keep it for your records and any future sale.