Working with landlords – how to get regular work with landlords

Operating as a contractor within the rental and lettings sector can be very lucrative for trade businesses, although it is a competitive market. Success relies on using effective job management software, offering customised services, being adaptable to client requirements, and maintaining compliance and professionalism. By preparing your business properly and targeting landlords and letting agents, you can position yourself for long-term success. 

But how do you secure regular work with landlords? We have listed below our top 10 tips that should help your business cement fruitful relationships with landlords. 

Why look for work with landlords?

Landlords and letting agencies typically have a portfolio of properties that may require work, improvements and maintenance. Whether this is an entire new-build estate or a handful of properties around the same area, it can be tricky for them to find reliable, credible and experienced tradespeople to maintain their properties. 

Building relationships with landlords before they need work allows you to create trust and answer any questions they might have. This means you’re more likely to secure a steadier stream of work through regular maintenance, checks and repairs across their property portfolio than solely working with homeowners. Once trust is built up, they may even recommend your business to other landlords, increasing the amount of potential work you could pick up.

10 ways to secure regular work with landlords 

 1. Understand a landlord’s position

If you were in the landlord’s position, what would you be looking for? This is something you always need to think about when looking for work. Landlords are often very busy, so they need to rely on a team of professionals who will finish the work to a high standard and at an affordable price.

Landlords are also looking for high-quality and consistent tradespeople. They want a team of professionals who have strong communication skills and conduct themselves in a professional and efficient manner. For this reason, they will tend to only go for experienced and competent trade businesses, and these are the types of companies that are likely to secure work consistently.

It’s also very important your contract with the landlord is thorough and detailed. Our guide on why no contract can mean no payment should tell you everything you need to know about the importance of a proper contract.

2. Tailor your services 

Depending on your business, team and areas of expertise, you may be able to tailor your services to appeal to landlords. Being flexible with the services you offer will help you secure more regular work and build your relationships with these types of clients. It will also incentivise clients to choose you over other businesses.

However, you should never overestimate the amount or types of work you can offer because failing to provide a consistently high standard of work that meets deadlines could jeopardise your reputation and your relationship with the landlord.

3. Networking

Don’t be afraid to attend property management events to get your company’s name out there. You’ll meet the landlords and agencies in person, which not only puts a face to your business, but also allows you to start to build those relationships in person and promote your range of services. 

There’s also the option of joining online communities and forums. This is a great way to share brand awareness and demonstrate your expertise in your field, and can also help you to gauge feedback from landlords about any recurring challenges within their current trade relationships. 

4. Build a strong reputation 

Your reputation in the industry is one of your strongest assets as a tradesperson. Having a reliable team of professionals who deliver work promptly and to a high standard will encourage landlords to return to your business for further and ongoing work. 

With this in mind, it’s imperative you deliver high-quality work every time, no matter the size of the job. You can also encourage clients to leave positive reviews, as this can help instil trust in prospective clients (including landlords) who are looking for your services or researching your business.

Word-of-mouth marketing is just as important, especially in the housing industry – landlords are likely to ask other landlords about tradespeople they have previously contracted for work and whether they would recommend them.

5. Efficient management 

A constant flow of work from landlords can be demanding work, so it’s essential to have good management strategies in place, including job-management software, efficient project scheduling, accurate invoicing and secure record-keeping. Staying on top of the admin can support clear, reliable communication from your business to clients, which is particularly crucial when forming a long-term working relationship with landlords.

We have a full guide on technology to help your business, with advice on everything from hardware to compliance apps, AI and information sharing.

6. Documentation 

Landlords will often want visual proof of the work you have completed, so it’s important to keep a record of every single job. Taking pictures of any damages and completed tasks gives landlords reassurance and reinforces your professionalism. It also stops you or the landlord being blamed for any damages that might occur in the property. 

You should also create thorough, detailed invoices as a record of the work carried out – see our guide on what to include on an invoice for more tips.

7. Be approachable

Establishing a friendly and professional relationship with your client means they will be more likely to return to you for further work. Send invoices promptly, respond to messages in a timely manner and, overall, just be someone a landlord can rely on, because that reliability is key to encouraging the landlord to use your business again.

 8. Build a schedule

If you’re working with a landlord who has 12 properties, for example, you’re going to need a proper schedule for maintenance checks. Not only does this make your life much easier, but it shows the landlord you are a professional company that can manage its time effectively. 

Additionally, booking blocks of time for maintenance checks and repairs ahead of schedule allows you to secure work in advance, making both yours and the landlords’ lives easier.

9. Be proactive

Emphasise your company’s professionalism by being proactive. Don’t wait around for the landlord to message you - if you can see in your schedule that their property needs its boiler checked or an updated Electrical Installation Condition Report, send a message to the landlord asking if they want this booking in. 

This will show your willingness to work and instil trust in your landlord that you’re aware of the properties you have been assigned and what work needs to be carried out regularly. 

10. Stay consistent 

After securing agreements with landlords and letting agents, maintaining consistency becomes essential. Regularly follow up after completing work, seek feedback and refine your services accordingly. This not only demonstrates your dedication to high-quality workmanship but also helps you better understand how to meet each landlord’s specific needs.

This consistency is the foundation of trust – you could carry out the highest-quality work but if a landlord can’t rely on you to reply quickly, make time for their bookings and respond positively to feedback, they’re less likely to use your services again.

If you’re looking to secure reliable work with landlords, a Which? Trusted Trader endorsement is more important than ever. Once you become a Which? Trusted Trader, you get a certified stamp of approval that lets prospective clients know you have passed rigorous assessments and that you’re a company to trust. Your Which? profile page also lets you tag all trades you offer and display your previous customers’ reviews; when a landlord is reviewing your business, you’ll have already put your best foot forward.

Join the scheme now and see how Which? can help build your business.