2026-07-20
Respond to your tenant's report within 24 hours in writing. Acknowledge the issue, confirm you are arranging an inspection, and give an estimated timeframe. This creates a documented record — critical if the matter escalates to a disrepair claim. A tenant's complaint constitutes legal notice under Section 11, so the clock starts the moment they report it.
Emergency (water actively entering): Arrange a roofer within 24 hours. Call 0203 538 0907 for same-day response. Urgent (damp patches, staining): Arrange inspection within 7 days. Routine (minor, non-urgent): Arrange within 28 days.
Photograph the damage. Keep copies of the tenant's report, your response, the roofer's inspection report, the repair quote, and the completion certificate. This documentation protects you in disrepair claims, deposit disputes, and environmental health inspections.
Do not apply temporary fixes repeatedly. A mastic patch that fails in three months demonstrates to a court that you failed to address the underlying problem. Invest in a proper repair the first time — it costs less in total and eliminates legal risk. All our repairs carry a 10-year written guarantee.
Annual roof inspections cost £140-£290 and catch problems before tenants report them. Biannual gutter cleaning (£90-£175) prevents the water damage that triggers most complaints. These are tax-deductible maintenance expenses. Many of our North London landlords have 5-15 properties on annual programmes, with a single contact and consistent reporting across their portfolio.
Call 0203 538 0907 for landlord emergency response and annual maintenance across North London.