For Mansfield residents living in former council semis, finding out who is responsible for each part of a shared roof could be just as important as finding a roofer. The warning comes as thousands of older properties across the district approach the point where their original roof tiles are becoming increasingly vulnerable to weather damage.
Roof Repairs Mansfield, which serves Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse and surrounding former mining towns, says uncertainty over ownership can leave otherwise urgent repairs waiting for decisions between private homeowners and the council.
Much of the district’s housing was developed between the 1930s and 1970s, with entire streets often constructed using the same house plans and roofing materials. When Right to Buy allowed tenants to purchase individual properties, ownership changed from house to house. In some cases, the roof arrangement remained shared despite the different ownership positions.
“You get called to a leak at number 42 and the water is tracking in under a ridge that 42 and 44 own half of each,” said Chris of Roof Repairs Mansfield. “One side is private, one side is still council. The private owner wants it done this week. The council has a repairs process and a waiting list. Nobody is being difficult. They just answer to different systems, and the water carries on coming in while that gets worked out.”
Roof Repairs Mansfield says homeowners should establish the ownership position before seeking quotations. Deeds and Land Registry title plans can help identify the relevant boundary. The company recommends obtaining a quotation for the privately owned section alone where necessary, including an appropriate finish at the point where the two halves meet.
“It costs more than doing the pair together. It also means nothing you have paid for is sitting waiting on somebody else’s decision,” the firm said.
The company has also published a detailed guide explaining ownership issues affecting Right to Buy roofs in Mansfield.
The tiles underneath
There is a practical reason why this issue is becoming more prominent. Many of the concrete interlocking tiles fitted to council housing and privately developed homes from the 1950s onwards are now several decades old. A typical service life can be around 30 to 60 years, depending on the product and conditions.
Age-related deterioration does not necessarily produce an obvious failure. The surface gradually wears, the tile can become more absorbent, and repeated wet and freezing conditions can cause cracking and loss of material. Properties constructed at the same time often begin experiencing these problems within a similar period.
Census 2021 recorded council-rented accommodation in 11.9% of Mansfield households. The corresponding figures were 8.4% for Nottinghamshire and 8.3% for England. Since former Right to Buy properties are no longer counted as council-rented homes, those figures do not represent the district’s entire legacy of council-built housing.
Guide prices for common repairs are available from Roof Repairs Mansfield, with examples based on property types commonly found around the district.
The organisation homeowners can no longer find
There has also been a change that homeowners researching mining-related property damage need to know about. The Coal Authority was renamed the Mining Remediation Authority in November 2024.
The organisation continues to carry out its relevant statutory responsibilities. Under the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991, qualifying properties damaged by coal mining subsidence can be investigated and repaired, with homeowners able to submit a damage notice without paying for the claim investigation.
Mansfield’s deep mining industry ended in the early 1990s. Sherwood Colliery at Mansfield Woodhouse closed in January 1992. That does not mean ground movement above old workings necessarily ended at the same time.
Roof-level symptoms can include a chimney beginning to lean, a ridge separating or opening, stepped cracks in masonry below the eaves and doors that suddenly begin sticking on only one side.
“People hear subsidence and picture the house sinking into a hole,” Chris said. “Most of what we see is a stack that has moved half an inch and taken the flashing with it. It presents as a leak. It gets repaired as a leak. And if the cause was genuinely mining related, that homeowner has paid for work the Mining Remediation Authority would have covered.”
What to check before winter
Homeowners are advised to inspect their roofs before winter arrives. A ground-level check can identify obvious problems, while binoculars can provide a closer view. Inside the loft, inspecting the roof covering during daylight with the lights off can help reveal gaps and water marks.
Particular attention should be paid to chimney stacks, including any signs of leaning, open mortar joints or flashing that has lifted from the brickwork. The ridge should normally form a straight line. Dips or visible steps may point to failed bedding mortar.
A tile surface that has become coarse and sandy can indicate that its outer layer has worn away. Grit in gutters can be another clue. Inside the loft, daylight coming through the covering or dark marks running down rafters are reasons to investigate before winter rain and frost arrive.
Doorstep callers
Roof Repairs Mansfield has also reminded homeowners to be cautious when approached by roofing contractors at the door. The company says these approaches can increase after named storms, when genuine demand for repairs rises.
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give consumers certain cancellation rights for contracts agreed at home for more than £42. Where a trader does not provide the required cancellation information in writing, the cancellation period may be extended by up to 12 months.
The company recommends avoiding cash payments in advance, obtaining a full business address rather than just a mobile telephone number, and checking the trader through Companies House before authorising work.
Roof Repairs Mansfield says it has completed more than 1,000 roof repairs and backs its workmanship with a 10-year guarantee.
