Ask the Question

locostxe · Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Staffordshire

Hello, I am looking to buy a 100 year old end terrace 2 bed house. The buyer before me has pulled out of the deal because the roof at present has no membrane installed underneath the slate tiles and had been informed by a friend that one needs to be fitted and this would cost in the region of £4500, for this reason has pulled out of the deal. The reason for my question is that i have called round a few roofers and they tell me that because the house is so old and that it was never fitted with this membrane underneath the tiles then it doesn't need one? Would you please be able to shine a light to whether this is true or not? And if so is there anywhere I could obtain this information in writing so I could use it as evidence?

Thank you for your time, Steve.

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4418 Location: Bath

Tricky answer.

No you don't need an underfelt on the roof, but saying that it will benefit from having one in the future.

Your surveyor should check the structure of the roof and make his recommendations, in turn you may wish to offer a lower figure to allow for the work.

The main structure/timbers are what should be the deciding factors, if these are in bad shape then the roof could need new timbers, slates/tiles etc, at the same time it can be brought up to modern regs.

To summarise.

Check the condition of the Timbers and the slates/tiles.
If one or the other is in bad shape then allow for the work.

locostxe · Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Staffordshire

Thank you so much for your fast reply and its helped out loads.

Thank u Wink