Finding reliable tradespeople

UK The advice on this site is written for the United Kingdom, mainly England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules — use the official guidance for the nation you live in, starting with GOV.UK.

US Tenant and landlord law varies by state, and sometimes by city. For federal housing information see HUD’s tenant rights page, then check your state attorney general or housing department for the local rules.

Australia Tenancy law varies by state and territory. Start with the official body where you live: NSW Fair Trading (NSW Government renting guidance), Consumer Affairs Victoria, Queensland’s Residential Tenancies Authority, Consumer and Business Services South Australia, or Consumer Protection Western Australia. Other territories have their own tenancy authorities.

Canada Tenancy law varies by province and territory. Start with the official guidance where you live: Renting in Ontario: your rights, British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Branch, Québec’s Tribunal administratif du logement, or Alberta’s information for landlords and tenants. For a national overview see CMHC’s landlord and tenant responsibilities. Other provinces and territories have their own tenancy authorities.

New Zealand Tenancy rules are set nationally. Start with official Tenancy Services guidance for tenants and landlords.

Ireland Start with the official Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Citizens Information also explains renting in Ireland in plain English.

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A clear brief, the right qualification for the job, and a written quote will save most of the grief later. This page is a practical approach for private landlords in England, plus a way to find a local trade if you do not already have someone you trust.

Your call

Go or no?

If it is a small, safe job that is yours to do, give it a go. We’ll point you to a beginner guide and a short shopping list. If you’d rather not, or the work needs a trade, say no and we’ll help you find someone local. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first.

Right then. Here’s a sensible starter kit, and links to the relevant guides.

No problem. We’ll show you how to find a local tradesperson.

This is about England

Most of what follows is written for private renting in England. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a ruling on your tenancy. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules — use the official guidance for the nation you live in. The country notes at the top of this page point to official starting points elsewhere too.

Start with the qualification the job actually needs

Gas work must be a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electrical installation work should be done by a competent person, and much of it is notified under official schemes such as NICEIC or NAPIT. Other jobs may not have a single register, but you can still ask for insurance, recent similar work, and a written scope.

Write a brief, not a vague text

Say the address, how to get in, what the problem is, what you want done, and whether tenants will be present. Attach photos. Ask for a written quote that includes parts, labour, VAT and any call-out or diagnostic fee, and when they can do the work. For a larger job, get more than one quote.

Agree records you can keep

Ask for invoices, certificates, and a short note of what was found. That is useful for the tenancy file and for any later dispute. See Keeping repair records.

If you do not already have someone

Use official registers where they exist, then a reputable local finder, and read recent reviews without trusting a star rating alone. The finder at the bottom of this page uses the same pattern as our guides. These are not a substitute for checking credentials yourself.

Official guidance

These official and specialist pages are the best place to confirm the rules for your situation. We have used them as the starting point for this article.

Gas Safe Register — the official register for gas work
NICEIC: Find a tradesperson — a competent-person scheme for electrical work
NAPIT — another competent-person scheme for electrical and related work
Registered Competent Person Electrical — official search for registered electrical operatives
GOV.UK: Private renting — repairs — the duties you are briefing a trade to help you meet

FAQ

Can I use the tenant’s “cousin who is handy”?

Not for gas, and not for electrical installation work. For a tiny, safe job it is still on you if it goes wrong. A proper invoice and insurance are worth having.

The cheapest quote is half the others.

Ask what has been left out. A quote that does not mention making good, parking, or a parts lead time can grow quickly.

The tenant is unhappy with the contractor I sent.

Listen, record what happened, and put it right if the work is poor. You remain responsible for the repair duty, even if someone else did the work.

DIY guide and shopping list

For small, safe jobs that are yours to do, these beginner guides will walk you through it. Do not use them for gas work, the electrical installation, or a leak that is the landlord’s to fix.

Useful starting points: Unblock a sink, Fill cracks in walls, Reseal a bath, and Hang a curtain pole.

Prices below are typical UK ranges, shown so the page can convert them for your country. Always check the live product page before you buy.

Item	Why you need it	Typical UK price
Plunger or sink unblocking tool	Clears a simple blockage you have caused.	Typically £5–£12
Ready-mixed filler and a filling knife	Fills picture-hook holes and small dents.	Typically £5–£10
Sandpaper or a sanding block	Smooths dried filler so a touch-up will sit flat.	Typically £4–£8
Kitchen-and-bathroom silicone	For a failing bead you are allowed to renew, if the agreement says you can.	Typically £6–£12

Shop this list:

Would rather not DIY? Find a local tradesperson

If the job is yours but you would rather not do it, a local handyman or plumber can often deal with a small fix. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first — they may already have someone they use.

We may earn from shop links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure

General guidance only. Check our disclaimer.