Should landlord be there?

[Pikehau]

I own and rent out 2 flats- an upstairs one and downstairs one.

Upstairs boiler leaking into downstairs. Plumber can come this afternoon. I am rushing around trying to find childcare so I can be there. However failing that I can drop keys to plumber this am and he can go alone.

It’s the same plumber upstairs tenants have met and we have used for years. Going in to do gas cert, fitting new appliances,etc. All fine. Plus handan has been in to do things and no issu.

Now tenants saying I or dh have to be there. Yes def trying but water pouring in so what’s the best way to approach this?

Firstly, why on earth have they not turned the water off if the leak is pouring?

Secondly, to answer your question, I send tradespeople to my rental properties all the time, it’s not up to you to supervise, if the tenant is unhappy with the tradesperson being unsupervised it’s their choice to be present when the tradesperson is there.
Assuming you are choosing licensed, trustworthy tradespeople there shouldn’t be a problem with them working in the property unsupervised.

THAnks for your message I appreciate it. I am happy with the plumber and he is trustworthy

They are all at work.... and the upstairs flat is unaffected so they are not going home to turn water off and downstairs obviously incapable of asking upstairs to turn off water.... and wait to email me from work to say what should we do next!

I am on my way to turn water off I had to drop at school and sort out other Dc and talk to plumber.

But thank you for reply. I didn’t think it was unreasonable to go in.

Ahh ok that makes more sense.

If it were me I would contact the tenant and tell them that the water needs to be turned off immediately, I’d give them the chance to come home but say that I can go (or send someone) and do it if they are unavailable within the next hour.

I’d then tell them that as it’s an emergency I’ll have a plumber out today, if they are not able to be home to let the plumber in I will give him keys to access the property to do the work.
I would usually try to arrange the tradesperson to come at a time convenient to the tenant if possible but in an emergency there isn’t always that option, if the tenant is unhappy with this I would suggest that they could ask a friend or relative to go to the property to supervise on their behalf but i would reassure them that I am completely happy with the plumber, that they have been working for me/on the property for X years and I trust them completely.

I hope it’s a simple fix.

Don’t worry about childcare Op. it’s an emergency situation, just bring the children with you. I wouldn’t mind that at all as a tenant. As long as nothing moved or broken by Dc.