1st
Feb 2017
An association of independent inventory clerks is warning all landlords and letting agents to be careful of choosing maintenance contractors, as some will rip them off by charging exorbitant fees with workmanship that is 'not fit for purpose'.
The association says that the rental sector suffers from shoddy workmanship, overcharging and incompletion of work by 'rogue' contactors that is costing landlords and lettings agents many thousands of pounds each year.
It highlights one particular example of a landlord being charged £90 for just tightening one valve connection in his property, the tenant told him that the job took no longer than a couple of minutes to carry out.
Patricia Barber, chair of the association, said: "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 property and assessed the situation. 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’s then up to the contractor to decide whether or not they want to take on the job."
She also recommends agents and landlords to use reputable trades' people and use some of the websites that can be trusted to supply dependable contractors.
Barber continues :"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."
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