Flat roof on ground floor flat's extension "needs replacing" - really?

deadkenny

I own the first floor flat in a converted end of terrace. The ground floor has an extension at the back and the first floor has a kitchen at the back with back door leading onto a roof top terrace. Essentially it's loose decking on the flat roof of the extension.

The ground floor owner is selling up and has an agreed sale, and the buyer has arranged a survey. Now the survey appears to have been arranged by the estate agent and they raised questions about the roof (flat roof and the main house roof).

For the roof they arranged for a local roofer to come by and the roofer says a few slates needed doing on the main roof and they've also said the flat roof is unsafe and shouldn't be walking on it, etc, will need to replace it all. Quote is £1500 for the roof and the slates. The slates are not an issue as I knew they needed doing (last time I had that some 5 years ago, was about £300 inc scaffolding).

Question is with the flat roof, can I believe this and what should I do next?

My concern is they seemed to only take a couple of minutes to deduce this and they are roofing contractors who obviously have an interest in generating business.

I've owned the flat for 10 years and the basic survey I had didn't mention anything. The conversion was about 20 years ago and think the roof access was less than that. Not sure when the extension was done though.

The roof doesn't appear to have any problems from my point of view and I can't see any damage. Downstairs I don't think has leaks. All they've said is this buyer's survey raised issues about the roof from an initial inspection which led to getting the roofer to have a look.

Any advice on what next to do?

I was going to get a second opinion from another roofer, but then they'd be looking for business also. An independent survey may be better, but that's going to cost a fair bit I guess and not sure where to look for one.

jc808

Id ignore it - your right to be suspicious

Youre neither the buyer or the seller, so no interest in this survey

deadkenny

I get the impression the seller is being asked to have this fixed though and they have spoken to me as if it's a cost between us.

I'm not sure as it's my terrace and their roof. Although the lease document doesn't specify the extension as part of my property concern. That said on checking the lease was drawn up before the access to the extension roof was done. Also the freehold is now owned jointly between us so we are jointly the landlord.

MX5huggy

Designing a roof to be a roof and designing one to be a roof terrace are 2 different things what structural improvements where made when the terrace element was added?

I expect none.

So the buyer right to be concerned.

ormus

if i was the owner of the flat downstairs, you wouldnt be walking on my roof, unless my/your deeds expressly permitted it.

iamcornholio

If you are joint freeholders, then normally the external structure (of which the flat roof is part) would be a shared cost - 50/50

You either need to clarify what was stated in any buyers survey and agree something, or both freeholders get a survey done and agree to act on its findings

In any case, now is the time to get the roof terrace formalised in the agreement and get new leases/deeds drawn up

deadkenny

Hmm, sounds like a job for a legal expert to sort out with the potential for me to lose access to the roof

Thing is, I bought the house in good faith, was sold as having the roof terrace, and was told I had right of access etc.

I don't know if there's any supplement to the deed for the roof access. I can't find one. I've got documents as supplied by the mortgage company on the last transfer of mortgage though says deeds are held electronically now somewhere. I don't think the deed has been re-drawn though so I assume the copy I've got is the last one.

I suppose the buyer could insist I don't use the roof, or we have to come to an agreement to use it (at someone's cost to make it walkable on if it wasn't before).

slipperyshoe

Hi, I would ask for some photos and a report on the roof, especially the build up and why they feel it is not safe. A decent flat roofing company can provide this. If not a premium manufacturer can provide this (yes they have a vested interest in getting the work but they must show justification for works). If they cannot get this I would personally refuse to pay.

If you PM I can help (my job is giving condition reports and designing flat roofs BTW).

On another note £1500 for a pitched and a flat roof seems extrodinarily cheap!