Hiring a Handyman for a Rental Property: A Landlord Guide
How landlords can hire a handyman for repairs, turnovers and inspections in the UK, including what to document, what needs registered trades and how to manage costs.
Running a rental means a steady stream of small jobs: a loose handle, a stuck window, a missing shelf, a bath that needs resealing between tenants. A dependable handyman can be the best-value contractor a landlord has, provided you brief them well, keep records and know where the legal lines are.
What a handyman is good for in a rental
Typical rental jobs that suit a handyman include:
- Tenant-reported minor repairs: loose hinges, sticking doors, cracked sealant, dripping taps
- Between-tenancy touch-ups: filling, small paint repairs, replacing handles and door stops
- Furniture assembly in furnished lets
- Fitting smoke alarms and replacing batteries, subject to your legal obligations
- Garden jobs: fence panels, gate latches, tidying
- Snagging after a tenant moves out; see how to brief a handyman on a snagging list
What it is not good for
Some rental obligations need specialist, registered or certified work. A handyman is not the right choice for:
- Gas appliance installation, servicing or repair, including annual gas safety checks, which require a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Electrical safety inspections and any notifiable electrical work, which need a suitably qualified and registered electrician
- Fire safety installation beyond simple alarm fitting, if your property is a licensed HMO or has specific requirements
- Structural, damp-proofing or roof work
If in doubt, read jobs a handyman should not do. Legal duties vary by nation and property type, so check the rules for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as relevant, and consider speaking to a letting professional or checking official guidance.
Setting up a good working relationship
- Start with a small job. Test punctuality, communication and finish quality before sending them to a tenant's home.
- Agree rates. For repeat work, a day or hourly rate might be better than one-off quotes. See the handyman day rate guide.
- Explain your standards. A rental needs durable, neutral and cost-effective fixes rather than designer finishes.
- Set expectations on tenants. Tell the handyman how to behave in an occupied home: arrive on time, wear shoe covers if asked and leave the place tidy.
- Agree a spending limit. For example, anything over £150 requires your approval first.
Handling access and tenants
Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment, and landlords normally have to give notice before entering. Check the required notice for your tenancy type and arrange visits with the tenant. When the handyman attends:
- Confirm the time with the tenant in writing.
- Tell the tenant who is coming and give their name.
- Do not leave a tenant's home unattended unless they have agreed.
- Ask the handyman to message you with photos of the problem and the result.
Documenting the work
For tenancy deposit disputes, insurance questions and your own planning, keep:
- Photos before and after
- A written description of what was done and the cost
- Receipts for materials
- Dates and the name of the person who attended
If you use messaging and online payment, much of that record builds itself. On Compito, you can send a request with your postcode, receive an offer, discuss it by message, accept and pay online, and leave a review once the booking is completed.
Managing cost
- Batch jobs per visit. Combine tenant reports with preventative work. See how to save money by batching handyman jobs.
- Choose durable fixes. Replacing worn hinges, using quality sealant and fitting robust handles may cost more upfront but fewer call-outs later.
- Keep spare parts. Common items such as door handles, tap washers and sealant tubes are cheap to stock, and your handyman can fit them quickly.
- Check what is chargeable. Repairs caused by normal wear are generally the landlord's cost; tenant-caused damage may be recoverable, but it depends on the tenancy terms and the evidence. For more, see landlord repair responsibilities in the UK.
Choosing the person
Look for someone who is reliable, communicates clearly and is comfortable saying no to work outside their remit. Reviews that mention tidy work and punctuality matter more in rentals than in many other settings, because they are representing you to your tenant. See how to find a reliable handyman.
Frequently asked questions
Can my handyman do the annual gas safety check?
No. Gas safety checks must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Can the handyman carry out repairs without me being there?
Yes, if you have arranged access with the tenant and agreed the scope. Many landlords ask for photos and a short summary by message.
Who pays for repairs a tenant caused?
It depends on the tenancy agreement and the evidence. Keep photos and records; if there is a dispute, official guidance and deposit scheme rules are the place to start.