If you are thinking about becoming a landlord, or if you have just purchased your first buy-to-let property and you want to ensure you are prepared for your first set of tenants, it can be helpful to have a list of reputable and trustworthy tradesmen on standby in case anything goes wrong with your property.
Of course, there may be certain maintenance tasks that you are happy to carry out yourself; however, it is also useful to have a backup plan for emergency repairs or issues that may need attending to when you are busy or away on holiday.
Keep reading to find out the six most important tradesmen that you need to know when becoming a landlord to ensure that your property is looked after and that your tenants are happy.
1. An electrician
You should not carry out any electrical work yourself on your property unless you are a qualified electrician. Not only could you put yourself at risk of injury, but you would also be putting the safety of tenants at risk.
As well as needing an electrician for any unexpected electrical maintenance issues, you also need to ensure that your property has an electrical installation check before any tenants move in and then again at regular intervals.
2. A gas engineer
You are legally required to have a gas safety check carried out on any property that you are renting out; therefore, it is vital that you know a trusted gas engineer to carry out this task for you. A gas engineer can also install and fix any problems with your boiler, as well as check over and fix appliances such as gas fires, gas cookers and wall heaters.
3. A locksmith
Arguably one of the most crucial tradesmen that you will need to have in your contacts list is a reliable locksmith. There are Brisbane locksmiths that are available 24 hours a day and will respond to your call out within an hour of you first contacting them. Whether you have just acquired a new property, your tenants have been broken into or if you have sadly had to evict a tenant, then you will need the services of a locksmith to secure your property as soon as possible.
4. A painter and decorator
You may feel like you can carry out any general painting and decorating yourself; this is perfectly fine if you have the time and inclination to do so. That being said, it can be a good idea to hire a plasterer if you want to ensure a smooth and perfect finish as this is a skill that not everyone can master, and you may be able to attract better tenants if your property is decorated to a high standard.
5. A fire safety professional
Before you rent out a property, you need to have a fire risk assessment carried out. Therefore, it is a good idea to contact your local fire station so that they can send someone out to carry out this all-important test for you.
6. A builder
Another highly important and valuable contact is a builder. A quality local builder can carry out construction, maintenance, repairs, renovations and remodelling to your property, all of which will probably need doing at some point.
It is a good idea to find a builder that is able to come out at short notice in case of emergencies, as well as one who carries out their work to a high standard. If in doubt about where to find a reputable builder, the best way is through word of mouth. Ask the neighbours, the local estate agents and family and friends for recommendations.