A contractor has been hired to replace the roof of Langton Hill, the Governor of Bermuda’s official residence, according to the Premier.

David Burt said that the repair job was “progressing” on Government House, with the roof marked as a top priority.

The 19th-century building on Langton Hill, overlooking Hamilton, began suffering extensive water damage in 2022 owing to a leaky roof and faulty windows.

However, work was postponed because of a lack of funds. The Government was able to allocate $2.684 million to the project in this year’s Budget, and submitted a planning application in April.

Replying to questions from the Opposition’s Vance Campbell in the House of Assembly last Friday, Mr Burt said: “I know that the bid went out for the replacement of the roof. I know that the tenders were received.

“I believe the contract has been executed. I know that the matter is progressing — I cannot give the specific completion date but I know that matter was funded inside of this year’s significant capital budget, which was the highest in the last 16 years.

“I do know that particular matter is progressing insofar as the replacement of the roof which is the main thing to ensure that the building is watertight.”

The repairs are expected to take between three and five years and will be overseen by the Ministry of Public Works.

Last year the Governor, Rena Lalgie, moved out of the property into temporary accommodation in Paget after it was judged to be unsafe.

On Friday, Mr Burt told MPs that the lease on the temporary residence would expire in November 2025.

Asked by Mr Campbell how much the residence was costing the Government in rent, Mr Burt replied: “I do not want to give an exact number that may be incorrect but unquestionably it is a significant property and a significant rent, as it must be for the Governor of the country.”