As a landlord, there’s no way to guarantee that tenants will look after your property as expected. Roofing is one of the things you can take care of that protects your investment while you’re not there.
In this post, we’ll go through some of the most important things landlords should know about roofing to keep your property protected from the elements.
A landlord’s roofing responsibility
The first thing most landlords want to know is whether they’re responsible for the roof of their property. The short answer is ‘yes’. Landlords are responsible for keeping the basic structure of a house in good repair, including the roof – along with walls, drains, pipework, windows and doors.
Responsibility aside, it’s in your interest to keep the roof in a good condition as it acts as an umbrella to the rest of the property. Your main concern should be getting tenants to report roofing problems as soon as they spot any signs of water ingress.
How often is maintenance required?
The amount of work needed on a roof depends on its age, condition and the type of roof in question. Older flat roofs might need regular repairs to keep them leak-free, while a recently installed slate roof shouldn’t need any work for several years.
Whatever the case, an annual roof inspection is best practice for landlords. A professional roofer will inspect every aspect of your roof to check for issues. Doing so allows them to nip small issues in the bud before they become costly problems. They can also perform basic maintenance like gutter clearance to avoid build-up and blockages.
3 simple roofing tips for landlords
To sum things up, here are three tips to make sure roofing doesn’t add to your stress as a landlord:
- Have a trusted roofer – First of all, find a reliable local roofer who can help with any roofing repairs you require. Ask other landlords, read reviews online and check for accreditations to make sure they’re dependable.
- Book an annual inspection – As above, your roof should be inspected once a year to check for any problems. A trusted roofing company will always recommend the best solution for your roof, including when replacement is necessary.
- Encourage tenants to report – While it might be tempting to minimise communication with tenants, it’s not a good idea when it comes to your roof. Encourage them to report any leaks or other issues they spot as soon as possible. Remember, they’re helping you in the long run by doing so!
Roofers you can rely on in Barnsley
If you want to make your life simpler as a landlord, a dependable local roofing company is worth its weight in gold. DPR Roofing has been working with landlords across Barnsley and the surrounding areas for over 30 years.
Whether it’s inspections and small repairs or roof replacements, we always recommend the best course of action for our customers and carry out the work to the highest standards. To find out more, simply contact us on 01226 670 008 or email [email protected].