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

[Porridgeaddiction]

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 thank the tenants for taking good care of your place. Thank the plumber friend for being so responsive (some people wait ages for plumbers!!).

And tell the tenants that you need to know about any problems so you can arrange the work yourself. Tell plumber you to contact you if the tenants contact him directly because you need to know about work before it's agreed. Don't mention payment yet. It should be clear from this what you mean.

Only if this doesn't happen - one single time - should you throw in that you won't pay for work you've not authorised.

Reason being that you've actually got a tenant who is taking care of your place. Plus a qualified, experienced plumber who is prompt at coming out. That combo is worth its weight in gold. Plus I can also imagine that your friend isn't short of work (are plumbers ever short of work??), so it's unlikely he's ripping you off - although I agree not impossible so you need to diplomatically put in a measure to ensure that it's above board.

as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?

Interesting comment and makes it sound that they should be grateful you've let your house to them
You said they are houseproud, isn't that a good trait in a tenant?

The tenant and the handyman are in the wrong. Just let them know to go through you.

100% this, exactly what I was going to say.

I think you need to rethink.

"bit IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough"
You sound like you expect your tenants to be grateful for the bare minimum. You are a disgrace.

“bit IMO as long as there's running water, central heating and no leaks, shouldn't that be enough?”

see sadly it was this comment that you lost any sympathy from me. I think your tenants have a right to live in the same standards you yourself would expect to live in. Maybe you should get a letting agent to take over this for you.

I think you need to discuss with the tenants that any repairs must be raised through yourself 1st before asking a handyman to fix. Advise that you will not be liable to cover the costs if they don’t inform 1st. And any repairs through your friend must be done on a more formal footing, full quotes etc

Same.

There a minimum legal requirements for insulation in lofts OP, so again, you weren’t doing them a favour with that.