A repair bill is rarely a welcome addition to a landlord’s month. Before paying it, though, there is a question worth asking: how much of that bill is for the contractor’s work, and does your managing agent receive anything from it?
An agent may charge a maintenance fee, add a margin or receive a commission from a contractor. Understanding the arrangement helps you compare services properly and see where your money is going.
For us, the decision was straightforward. We don’t profit from your boiler breaking.
What our approach means in practice
At True North Property Partners, routine contractor invoices are passed on without a maintenance mark-up or contractor commission. If the contractor’s invoice is £500, we don’t quietly make it £600.
Our management fee pays for the agreed management service. Where a separate service, such as overseeing a larger project, attracts an additional fee, that should be explained and agreed clearly. A separately agreed project management charge is something a landlord can assess before proceeding.
This gives landlords a clear view of the contractor’s cost and the service they are paying us to provide.
Managing maintenance involves more than forwarding an invoice
A fair contractor price is only part of the job. Someone still needs to understand the fault, arrange appropriate access, choose a suitably qualified contractor and review what is being recommended.
Sometimes a repair is enough. Sometimes replacement makes more sense. Occasionally, further investigation is needed before anyone can give a reliable price. The landlord should receive an explanation that helps them make that decision.
Once work is approved, keeping track of progress and checking the outcome matters too. An invoice tells you that work has been charged for; it doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether the original problem has gone away.
Compare the whole cost of property management
It is understandable to start with the percentage management fee when choosing a letting agent in Blackpool. But the percentage only becomes useful when you know what it includes.
Ask to see the terms covering repairs, contractor commissions, administration charges and larger works. Find out how spending is authorised and what information accompanies an invoice.
For illustration, a two-percentage-point difference on £800 monthly rent amounts to £192 over a full year of rent collection. A £100 addition to each of two repair invoices would already exceed that difference. The actual comparison depends on the fees, rent collected and work required at your property.
A landlord’s investment includes the money spent maintaining it
We want landlords to feel confident that a repair recommendation reflects what the property needs. Our income model should support that confidence.
If you are reviewing your property management arrangements in Blackpool & The Fylde Coast (and surrounding areas), we would be happy to explain our services and charges. Call 01253 486 996 or email
