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Landlords Warned to Not Get Caught Out by Rogue Tradespeople
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Landlords and letting agents have been warned to not get caught by rogue tradespeople operating in the private rental sector.
Landlords Warned to Not Get Caught Out by Rogue Tradespeople
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) urges landlords and letting agents to be increasingly aware of being ripped off by rogue tradespeople who conduct maintenance work on their rental properties.
The organisation warns that some rogue tradespeople and contractors take advantage of those letting properties to private tenants by either overcharging or not completing jobs to a sufficient standard.
The AIIC claims that employing the wrong contractors could cost landlords and letting agents thousands of unnecessary pounds every year.
It refers to a case from a few months ago, when a landlord complained that a plumber had charged £90 to tighten a valve connection in a leaking radiator, a job that, according to the landlord’s tenant, had taken just two minutes to complete.
The Chair of the AIIC, Patricia Barber, says: “This is a problem that seems to be becoming more common, but it’s something that landlords and agents can address easily.
“Before employing any tradesperson, you should ask for a quote. You can also ask them to provide an updated quote once they have visited the rental property and assessed the situation.”
She also suggests: “What’s more, by informing a tradesperson of your maximum spend or budget, you can alleviate the worry of being hit with an unexpected bill. It is then up to the contractor to decide whether or not they want to take on the job.”
The AIIC also advises landlords and letting agents to avoid rogue tradespeople by using resources such as checkatrade.com, ratedpeople.com, and trustatrader.com.
Barber recommends: “As well as using these sites when looking for a contractor, you should also leave reviews when work has been completed. This will help others to make decisions and contribute towards keeping these online directories as accurate and up to date as possible.
“When letting a property, you will always need to put aside some money for essential maintenance jobs. However, choosing the right contractor, and making sure you receive quotes and inform them of what you’re looking to spend could significantly reduce your annual costs.”
If you’ve had problems with rogue tradespeople in the past, follow these tips!
