How to check a tradesperson before you book them

Before you book a tradesperson, check three things: their registration, on the scheme’s own register; their insurance; and a written price. For anything on the gas, that means a Gas Safe registered engineer, with their number checked before they come.

Which register for which work

For gas, each appliance and flue you’re responsible for must be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The app goes further: it sends any gas or boiler repair only to a trade with a Gas Safe number. For any work on the gas, ask for that number when you book, and check it on the Gas Safe Register. How to check a gas engineer is Gas Safe registered takes you through it.

For electrics, the regular inspection and test of the installation must be done by a qualified person. Ask the electrician which registration scheme they belong to, then look them up on that scheme’s own register.

For plumbing, locks, roofs or building work, ask which scheme or trade body they belong to, and look them up the same way. A logo on a van, a card or a website isn’t a check: the register is.

Which schemes cover which kinds of work hasn’t been checked for this guide. Before you rely on a membership, it helps to read on the scheme’s own website what it means.

Insurance

Ask whether they hold public liability insurance, and who it is with. Many landlords ask to see the certificate, and check that its dates cover the day of the job.

If a firm will send someone else on the day, ask who will come.

References and recent jobs

Ask for a recent job like yours, and a name you can ring about it. A name that comes with a job you can ask about is worth more than an advert.

Other landlords, the neighbours at the property or a letting agent you have used may know the trade already.

A written price

Get the price in writing before the work starts, saying what is and isn’t included. Where the size of the job isn’t known until they look, agree a limit they won’t go over without asking you first.

In the app, the limit you set under Account › Trades › Spending goes with each repair you send, as your instruction. It includes VAT and any call-out charge, and over it the trade rings you first. The app doesn’t pay anyone: you pay the trade directly.

Warning signs

Take care with a trade who:

• won’t put a price in writing;
• asks to be paid in cash only, or wants all the money before starting;
• presses you to decide on the spot;
• can’t give a registration number you can check, or an address.

If something goes wrong

Raise it with the trade first, in writing, with photos of the work. If they belong to a scheme or trade body, ask it how to complain.

For what you can do about poor work in a particular case, take advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice.

What the law says

In England, each gas appliance and flue you are responsible for must be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The first check is within 12 months of installation, then at intervals of no more than 12 months.

The electrical installation must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at intervals of no more than 5 years. If the last report gives an earlier date, it must be done by then.

You must keep in repair and proper working order the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and heating water. That doesn’t cover things your tenant is entitled to remove.

Your tenant must allow access for repairs you are entitled to do. GOV.UK recommends at least 24 hours’ written notice at reasonable hours, possibly shorter in an emergency.