Need Work Carried Out in Your House Share?
As a student you probably live in a privately rented property with a number of other people, which means that if something goes wrong in the house it is generally up to your landlord to fix.
However, it is only your landlord’s responsibility if the issue in your house in not your fault – such as mould on the walls or broken roof tiles.
Therefore, if you have an issue in your property and it is your fault you may have to call in a tradesman yourself; but before you do, read our handy advice:
Talk to your Landlord
As you are living in your landlord’s property you will have to have their approval before you hire anyone to perform work on it. This is because you could void their landlord insurance if a tradesman carries work that isn’t covered, which will make them extremely angry!
Therefore, if there is an issue with your property you need to contact your landlord straight away to let them know.
It is likely that your landlord will want to arrange the repairs themselves and then have you pay, however it is wise to search around to make sure that they are getting the right price. At the end of the day your landlord just wants their property fixed, so they may not be too concerned about the price!
Finding a Reliable Tradesman
Unfortunately, there are a number of rogue tradesmen out there which is why it is of the utmost importance you find one that will fix your home properly and for a fair price.
One of the easiest ways to find a tradesman you can trust is to look for those that are registered with TrustMark – a government body which sets out strict standards when it comes to tradesmen. There are plenty of tradesmen across the country who have registered with this government scheme which means that you should be able to talk to a few before deciding which one is right for you.
Getting the Best Quote
As a student it is likely you don’t have much money to burn, however this doesn’t mean you should choose a tradesman who provides the cheapest quotes.
At the end of the day, tradesmen need to cover the costs of tradesman liability insurance, tools, materials and fuel, which means that if someone offers you an extremely low quote then you know they are cutting corners somewhere!
Make sure that you choose a tradesman who you can trust and will provide a contract before they start any work, that way you know you will always be safe. Remember, you must also always consult your landlord before you agree to any work being carried out, that way you won’t void your tenancy agreement.