Bat Conservation: Rules and Regulations for Roofing Work
- by Dina Vaisman
- August 21, 2026
- Roofing Articles
The Bat Conservation Trust has been protecting bats and their habitats in the UK for years. Protecting bats and their habitats is good for biodiversity. If you are doing building and roofing works anywhere in the UK, you should take precautions to check the area for bats, and make sure no harm is done to them in the process.
Where might bats be found?
Bats will usually make the most of buildings.
Bats can sometimes be found in roof spaces, eaves, wall cavities and other small, sheltered areas around a building.
Work carried out in a roof or building can disturb bats or damage a roost if you do not know that they are there.
How are bats and their roosts protected?
All kinds of bats and the places they use as roosts, are protected by law in the UK. This means that you need to take care and take precautions to not harm them and get professional advice if needed.
When do bats use buildings?
In the winter, bats will probably choose somewhere cooler. But in the summer, they will end up choosing different environments to suit their needs.
A roost is still protected even when bats are not actually inside it.
What roofing work could affect bats?
- Repairing or replacing roofs and roof tiles
- Repointing brickwork
- Replacing fascias and soffits
- Carrying out pest control
- Installing solar panels
- Installing or replacing roofing membranes
- Cleaning roofs or hanging tiles
- Carrying out work inside roof voids
This does not mean that these types of work cannot be carried out where there are bats; it is just that rules and regulations should be followed.
How can bats be considered when planning roofing work?
Care should be taken at the very start of a project. What should you check before starting work?
- Ask about previous surveys or reports.
- Check to see if there are bats anywhere.
- Get professional advice if you are not sure about anything.
- Stop working in the building if you notice any bats, so that you can make plans and take any necessary steps first.
Choosing the right roofing membrane
A bat-safe roofing product should be selected.
Some roofing membranes that have non-bitumen coating can be harmful to bats. Some membranes have long, spun-bond fibres that can catch on a bat’s claws, and this can cause the bat to be trapped or tangled up.
1F membrane from Wonderbuilds
Wonderbuilds provides 1F roofing membrane, which is bat-friendly.
Conclusion
Before you start any building works, the area should be carefully inspected for any signs of bats of roosts. You have to make sure harm is not done to bats or roosts when doing building works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can roofing work still be carried out if bats are present?
Yes. However, the work may need to be carried out differently to avoid disturbing or harming the bats.
Can bats be found under roof tiles?
Yes.
What should I do if I find bats during roofing work?
Stop work and get expert advice before continuing.
Does it matter which roofing felt I use if there are bats in the roof?
Yes. Some felts can hurt bats and cause them to be entangled, so a bat-friendly felt should be used.
Does Wonderbuilds provide 1F membrane?
Yes. Wonderbuilds provides 1F roofing membrane.
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