UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all,
I'm having an issue where my tenants (4 of them, all girls) keep contacting me to send a handyman/plumber out for the most ridiculous reason. Just to point out, I'm a woman, I was 21 when I first got my property and in the four years I lived there I never called a handyman to deal with house stuff, it was only for big things like repainting a room or fixing a broken bannister...
First it was always for the lightbulbs, which I would accept to get the handyman for, but ultimately I told them that according to the contract, it was actually their responsibility to change the bulbs (which is true). Then they mentioned the radiators weren't warming up so I recommended bleeding them and I would mail over a radiator key if they didn't find the one I'd left in the house, but months went by without them trying that option until they said the radiators still weren't warming up and asked me to send over a handyman, which I did because I could see they wouldn't end up trying to bleed them first. Now more recently its the shower drain, they said the shower was blocked and they tried everything such as pouring anti clocking stuff down the drain but to no avail, so I sent a plumber over urgently, only to be told that they had never opened the shower tray in the shower drain and that it was clocked up with hair and billed £71 for it. I am quite annoyed because it's just throwing money away at this point, it's frustrating that they're not even capable of looking at a shower drain properly. I want to bill them for this but don't know how to go about it without ruining the relationship, I want to maintain a good balance with them as I don't want them to be unhappy in my house, but I also want them to realise that calling out a handyman or a plumber is really expensive! I'm not sure what to do to make them understand this, does anyone have any tips on dealing with something of this nature? Thank you!

Well, firstly be thankful that they're not calling-out the Trades themselves and billing you in a surprise way. They're coming to you and you are in the perfect position to block the bridge. So do that.

You obviously realise that you've set some expectations by replacing bulbs and not providing a radiator key from the outset (I do that) and doing a proper Check-In where you demonstrate things like this - "how to live" things... sure, it might go in one ear and out of the other, but you have to try.

The tail is wagging the dog (the situation seems to be one of your own making, the way I read your post).

Lastly, unless you're cheaping-out on bulbs or there's some kind of wiring issue, LED bulbs should be lasting years - "always for the lightbulbs" - is simply not a thing these days.

You should not have responded to the bulbs issue,  that is just ridiculous.  I would tell them, in writing,  that if they are unable to deal with matters that are part of general housekeeping it is not your duty to sort out. I would say that on this occasion you have paid for the blocked shower, but from now on they will have to pay for such services themselves. They are treating you like a janitor.   

Quote from: Hippogriff on May 01, 2024, 07:27:12 AMWell, firstly be thankful that they're not calling-out the Trades themselves and billing you in a surprise way. They're coming to you and you are in the perfect position to block the bridge. So do that.

You obviously realise that you've set some expectations by replacing bulbs and not providing a radiator key from the outset (I do that) and doing a proper Check-In where you demonstrate things like this - "how to live" things... sure, it might go in one ear and out of the other, but you have to try.

The tail is wagging the dog (the situation seems to be one of your own making, the way I read your post).

Lastly, unless you're cheaping-out on bulbs or there's some kind of wiring issue, LED bulbs should be lasting years - "always for the lightbulbs" - is simply not a thing these days.

I've never had a 'how to live' discussion with a landlord before, I didn't think it was customary, and I've lived in quite a few rented properties. I'm a first time landlord and trying my best, I have definitely set a precedent that has definitely ended up biting me in the ass...

Quote from: heavykarma on May 01, 2024, 08:03:57 AMYou should not have responded to the bulbs issue,  that is just ridiculous.  I would tell them, in writing,  that if they are unable to deal with matters that are part of general housekeeping it is not your duty to sort out. I would say that on this occasion you have paid for the blocked shower, but from now on they will have to pay for such services themselves. They are treating you like a janitor.   

Janitor absolutely encompasses it! I've sent them a nice email (as nice an email as one like this can be...) but to no response yet... In the four years I lived in my property I only ever called in someone twice, once when I got locked out and once to fix my bannister, I guess I expected people to be as nifty as me haha thanks for your help!

When I read - "when I got locked out" - I admit that I, maybe incorrectly, hear - "when I locked myself out".

And funky positions employing bannisters, or barristers - or even baristas, should be explicitly forbidden in tenancy agreements. Quiet Enjoyment aside.

QuoteTenants keep calling handyman

<<= Yes, they are very annoying.

Will you tell them to stop please?

I don' t suppose Mrs. Handyman is too pleased either, having a group of young women constantly pursuing you!

Quote from: heavykarma on May 03, 2024, 08:13:14 AMI don't suppose Mrs. Handyman is too pleased either, having a group of young women constantly pursuing you!

She's very understanding