Mortgage Retention Roof Survey — areas covered
Lenders' retention conditions are usually vague on purpose — 'suitably qualified contractor to inspect roof and complete necessary works'. That leaves your area buyers stuck between a valuation team who won't specify and a solicitor who can't sign off. We produce a lender-ready survey plus a written remedial specification in your postcode that satisfies the retention wording so funds are released.
Retention roof survey across 10 nearby areas
What's included
- Cover letter directly addressing the lender's retention wording
- Photo-evidenced defect list with severity ratings
- Written remedial specification — materials, method, guarantee
- Priced quote to complete the specified works
- Contractor credentials pack (insurance, references, trade body memberships)
- On completion: signed completion certificate and post-works photo pack for the lender
Who it is for
- Buyers with a roof-related retention on their mortgage offer
- Buyers whose surveyor recommended 'further specialist inspection and remedial works'
- Solicitors needing a lender-acceptable roof condition report and spec
- Landlords buying {area} rental property with a lender retention
What we check
- Every roof condition point cited in the valuation and retention wording
- Structural roof timbers where accessible in the loft
- All covering, flashings, ridges, hips, valleys and abutments
- Chimney stacks and pot condition — a frequent retention trigger
- Any flat roof coverings, especially over habitable rooms
- Rainwater goods and evidence of chronic water ingress
- Any past remedial work — dated where possible and evaluated for lender acceptance
How the survey runs
- Send us your mortgage offer, retention wording and the valuation extract
- We call to confirm the lender's exact requirements and any specific format
- On-site survey booked with the vendor's agent within 3-5 working days
- Report + spec + priced quote issued together as a lender pack
- On instruction: works completed to specification with dated photo record
- Completion certificate and photo pack sent to you and your solicitor
Typical findings
- Retention wording that only mentions 'roof' — always ask us to check chimneys and flat roofs too
- Valuation photos taken from the front only, when the retention has been triggered by rear-slope wear
- Historic patch repairs the lender may not consider a sufficient remedy
- Chimney stacks noted 'in need of attention' — usually needs re-flaunching, re-flashing and pot rebedding
- Any {area} property with visible slipped slates and no ridge dry-fix retrofit
Common questions
Will you liaise with my your area solicitor and lender directly?
Yes — with your permission we send the report, spec and completion certificate direct to your solicitor and, on request, to the underwriter or valuation team. Most retentions we handle for your area clients release inside 5-10 working days of report submission.
How much does this cost in your postcode?
£345-£495 for the survey and spec on a standard your area property, up to £595 on larger or complex roofs. Any remedial works are quoted separately — you're free to use another contractor for the work itself if you prefer.
Do I have to use you for the remedial works?
No. The survey and spec stand alone. If you want a competing quote for the works you can take our spec to any qualified roofer in your area — that's usually welcomed by lenders because it evidences a proper procurement.
My lender wants a specific report format — can you match it?
Yes. Nationwide, Halifax, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and the specialist lenders all have slightly different preferences — we know most of them and match the format. Send us the retention wording and we'll confirm.
How quickly can the retention be released?
Once works are completed and the lender has the completion certificate and photo evidence, most retentions release inside 5-10 working days. Total timeline from initial call to funds released is usually 3-6 weeks for your area properties depending on works scope.
Will you provide a guarantee the lender will accept?
We provide a written remedial scope, completion photos and relevant product documentation. Confirm the lender's document requirements before instruction.