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Original poster

Tenants getting handyman to do work. I'm just really peed off about it

182 replies

Porridgeaddiction · 13/10/2022 13:47

I moved on with my now husband when we met into his house and I rented mine out.

I wanted to be a good landlord, so when the tenants moved in there were a few bits that they wanted doing so I asked my friend who's a handyman to do it.

There has been a couple of little things that have needed doing eg fix the guttering, and I've got my friend to do the job.

A couple of times he's messaged me to say that xyz needs fixing, is it ok for him to do the work.

Yesterday he messaged to say that he'd been to the house a few weeks ago to fix the leaking shower and a loose tile. Parts and labour £100. I didn't even realise that there was a problem with the shower and I'm p**sed off that the tenant went to the handyman and didn't tell me.

I just have a horrible gut feeling about all of this - either he's mugging me off or the tenants are getting work done which I'm not really required to do as a landlord. I know that they're very houseproud and like everything perfect, bit IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?

OP posts:
ThereIbledit · 13/10/2022 14:17

..But IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks..

There literally WAS a leak though! And I don't know why you're miffed about houseproud tenants, there are hundreds of landlords who would bite your hand off for houseproud tenants instead of the all too common type who treat the place like shit and ignore emerging problems until they either move out or it's a total and hideously expensive disaster.

The problem isn't that the repairs were made, the problem is that it should have been you who authorised and contracted the handman to do them, not the tenants. I'd send written comms to both tenants and handman that all work must go through you.

WeAreTheHeroes · 13/10/2022 14:18

If he's fixed the problem then no plumber is needed - this issue is not a handyman fixing a leak from a loose tile it's that no one told the OP until afterwards. A plumber will not have wanted to do that kind of job.

LIZS · 13/10/2022 14:18

If your friend expects payment from you he should give any quotes to you for approval first. Maybe your tenant thinks he does?

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Frequency · 13/10/2022 14:18

.But IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks..

Has there been anything else you've decided is not your job to fix? Because that'll be why they're going over your head directly to the repair man.

paulmccartneysbagel · 13/10/2022 14:19

Maybe the tenant has had this arrangement with previous landlords? That's the arrangement I have with mine - the handyman is trusted, I contact him directly and he runs things past the landlord if necessary.

I don't think you can really blame the tenants. The handyman should've checked with you first beings are you're the one paying them.

Wichit · 13/10/2022 14:20

Loose tiles don't leak. If there's been a leak you need to get a plumber to look at it, not just take the word of a handyman.

DameHelena · 13/10/2022 14:20

as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough? Is that enough for you in your home? Or do you think tenants are entitled to less comfort/lower standards than you?

I also don't understand your 'no leaks' comment; one of the jobs done recently was 'the leaking shower'... Hmm

paulmccartneysbagel · 13/10/2022 14:21

and also, if the shower is leaking, then it is....a leak. That needs fixing.

Ponderingwindow · 13/10/2022 14:23

make clear to everyone that all work needs to go through you.

a leaking shower and loose tile isn’t necessarily something that can be ignored. Depending on the location it can easily cause substantial water damage. The tenant should have called you, but if you had just ignored the problem, you might have regretted it.

Stellaris22 · 13/10/2022 14:25

Depends on the urgency of the issue. We're with a letting agency and have an online form we fill in for repairs.

Couple of years ago when it was freezing, our key snapped in the lock late on a Sunday evening. We contacted a locksmith ourselves rather than waiting to deal with one company who would have to contact the landlady AND a locksmith themselves.

A loose tile is a potential hazard and needs dealing with.

Mummyoflittledragon · 13/10/2022 14:26

£100 for that work is not exorbitant. Talk to your tenants and tell them you want to be informed first of any maintenance requirements. Tell the maintenance guy he should contact you if he has anymore calls.

Summerfun54321 · 13/10/2022 14:26

I know that they're very houseproud and like everything perfect, bit IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?

Of course it’s not enough! You need to provide a safe and habitable environment for your paying customers. That includes fixtures and finishes in good working order and securely fixed. Maybe they contacted the handyman directly because they know you’re a tight arse!

CherryLongIsland · 13/10/2022 14:28

...the tenants are getting work done which I'm not really required to do as a landlord.

Do you mean you think the tenants should pay to repair your property or because you don't live there you don't think the property needs to be in a good state of repair.
Or something else?

Stellaris22 · 13/10/2022 14:31

I know that they're very houseproud and like everything perfect, bit IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?

So not only is it bad enough that people can't afford to buy the security of their own home, but because they don't have money they should just accept poor living conditions?

nobabiesyet · 13/10/2022 14:34

You should be glad your tenant is being proactive. The issue is your handy man should check with you first. Give up being a landlord if you don't want to do it.

TimBoothseyes · 13/10/2022 14:34

I suggest you either sell the house or get a letting agency in as you really don't seem to know what being a LL entails.

Hapoydayz · 13/10/2022 14:36

Only £100 to get that fixed is amazing!

akkakk · 13/10/2022 14:37

Dear tenants - please come to me first, otherwise you will be liable for the bills.
Dear friend - please only take instruction from me, otherwise I can't pay you

move on

Stellaris22 · 13/10/2022 14:39

Is the work that your tenants are doing by themselves, issues that you as a LL would deduct from their deposit? Or is it acceptable wear and tear you would pay for yourself? Is it work that you, if you lived in the house, would find acceptable to live with not being fixed?

MeowMeowPowerRangers · 13/10/2022 14:39

akkakk · 13/10/2022 14:37

Dear tenants - please come to me first, otherwise you will be liable for the bills.
Dear friend - please only take instruction from me, otherwise I can't pay you

move on

Liable for getting a leak fixed that could potentially cause thousands of pounds worth of damage? The tenant did her a favour!

Rewis · 13/10/2022 14:40

Inform the tenants how you want these to be handled.

Every rented place has had a different way of managing these small things. Current one I send a firm to building management company and they handle it. Previous one was going through a letting agency. The one before that was with the landlord. One before was a building management agency etc.

MightyOaks · 13/10/2022 14:41

As someone who previously rented privately for 20 years, you sound like a corner-cutting dodgy landlord!!

Also, you say you moved in with your now husband when you met??? 🤨

Mrsjayy · 13/10/2022 14:43

You cant just say tenants will be liable for bills just because... something needed fixed this is a communication issue but the LL is liable for fixing showers and tiles if its wear and tear.

MadeForThis · 13/10/2022 14:43

If you do t fix leaks you are asking for trouble.

Snoken · 13/10/2022 14:55

Agree that the tenant should have gone through you first, and you should have arranged the handy man to come out. However if your view is this: as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?, then I guess they don't expect you to actually repair your property and they needed to get it fixed and hoped that you will cover the cost if it has already been carried out. I am also a landlord and leaking showers and lose tiles are definitely my problem to fix and pay for, not the tenants. It's not enough that you provide a roof, water and heating. They need a comfortable, well working property to live in and that is up to you to ensure.