How landlords can find reliable maintenance contractors

Reliable trades, valid certificates and quick response times keep tenants happy and you compliant.

For landlords, a good maintenance contractor is worth their weight in gold: fast to respond, properly certified, and trusted by your tenants. Here is how to find and keep the right trades.

Know your legal responsibilities first

Some checks are not optional. In England you must have:

An annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) from a Gas Safe engineer
A valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every five years
Working smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms where required
A valid EPC before letting

Always use contractors who are properly registered and who provide the certificates you need.

Build a small, trusted list

Rather than searching from scratch each time, build a shortlist of reliable trades you can call again — a plumber, an electrician, a Gas Safe engineer, a handyman and a general builder. Trades who know your properties work faster and quote more fairly.

Check response times and availability

For rentals, speed matters. Ask how quickly a contractor can attend routine and emergency issues, whether they offer out-of-hours cover, and how they handle access with tenants.

Get everything in writing

Use written quotes and keep records of all work, certificates and invoices. This protects you, helps at inspection or sale, and shows tenants and any deposit scheme that the property is properly maintained.

Look after the relationship

Reliable trades are busy and in demand. Pay promptly, be clear about what you need, and give repeat work where you can — it is the simplest way to stay near the top of their list.

Tip: Keep a simple maintenance record for each property — dates, work done, certificates and costs. It saves time at renewal, inspection and sale.

Red flags to avoid

No proof of Gas Safe or electrical registration
Reluctance to provide certificates or written invoices
Consistently slow to respond to urgent issues
Cash-only with no paperwork
No public liability insurance

Frequently asked questions

How often does a rental need an electrical check?

Private rented homes in England need a valid EICR at least every five years, and a new tenancy should not begin without one. Any remedial work flagged must be carried out.

Do landlords need an annual gas safety check?

Yes. Where there are gas appliances, landlords must arrange a gas safety check every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer and give tenants a copy of the certificate.

Should I use one contractor or several?

A small trusted list — covering plumbing, electrics, gas and general repairs — usually works best. It gives you cover across common problems without relying on a single person.

Building your maintenance team?

Find reliable local trades for plumbing, electrics, heating and general maintenance.

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