How to get work from letting agents as a tradesperson.
Letting agents and estate agents need reliable tradespeople on speed dial — electricians, plumbers, cleaners, locksmiths, builders. Here is how to become the person they call first.
Why letting agents are the best source of repeat trade work
A letting agent managing fifty rental properties needs a plumber, an electrician, a locksmith and a cleaner on call at all times. Tenants report problems constantly — boiler breakdowns, leaking taps, lock changes between tenancies, end-of-tenancy deep cleans. The agent does not search for a new tradesperson each time. They call whoever is already on their approved list.
Once you are on that list, the work is regular and the relationship is long-term. One good letting agent can fill your diary for months. The challenge is getting on the list in the first place.
What letting agents actually want from a tradesperson
Letting agents care about three things above everything else:
- Responsiveness — they need someone who answers the phone and can attend within 24 hours for urgent jobs. A missed call from a letting agent usually means they move on to the next name.
- Reliability — turning up when you say you will, doing the work properly and leaving the property clean. Complaints from tenants reflect on the agent.
- Paperwork — certificates, invoices, photos before and after. Gas safety certificates, EICRs, inventory condition reports. Agents need documentation to satisfy landlords and regulators.
Price matters, but it is rarely the deciding factor. An agent who has been let down by a cheap tradesperson will pay more for someone who actually turns up.
How to approach a letting agent for the first time
Walk into the branch or call the office. Ask to speak to whoever manages property maintenance. Introduce yourself, explain what you do and ask whether they need a tradesperson in your discipline on their books.
Be specific about what you cover:
- Electricians — EICRs, PAT testing, fault finding, consumer unit upgrades. See our guide on AI calling for electricians.
- Plumbers — boiler servicing, gas safety certificates, bathroom installs, emergency repairs. See AI calling for plumbers.
- Cleaners — end-of-tenancy deep cleans, communal area cleaning, inventory prep.
- Locksmiths — lock changes between tenancies, key cutting, emergency access.
- Builders — plastering, flooring, damp-proofing, kitchen and bathroom refits. See AI calling for builders.
Leave a card with your name, trade, phone number and any accreditations. Follow up a week later.
Scaling your outreach with AI cold calling
Walking into branches works, but it does not scale. There are hundreds of letting agents and estate agents in most regions, and visiting each one takes a full day you could spend on site. AI cold calling lets you reach all of them without leaving the van.
Upload a list of letting agents in your area — you can build this from Companies House, Rightmove's agent directory or The Property Ombudsman's register. FoxEra's AI calling agent phones each one, introduces your trade and asks whether they need someone on their approved list.
Every call is recorded and transcribed. You review the transcripts, pick up the warm leads and follow up yourself. You only pay for connected minutes, from 21p per connected minute, with £7 of free calling credit to start.
Read our guide on how to build a UK cold calling list for help putting the list together, and see how the AI calling software works.
Keeping the work once you have it
Getting on the list is the first step. Staying on it is where the real value is. A few habits keep you at the top of the agent's contact list:
- Answer the phone — if you cannot take the call, return it within the hour. A voicemail that goes unanswered for a day is the fastest way off the list.
- Send the paperwork the same day — certificates, invoices, photos. The agent is chasing you because their landlord is chasing them.
- Be honest about timelines — if you cannot attend until Thursday, say so. The agent can manage the tenant's expectations; what they cannot manage is a no-show.
- Offer competitive rates for volume — a small discount on your hourly rate for a steady stream of jobs is worth more than full rate on one-offs.
Comparing letting agent work with other lead sources
Letting agent work is regular, repeat and relationship-based. Other lead sources — Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Facebook ads — are one-off and price-driven. Both have a place, but the margins and predictability of agent work are usually better.
If you are exploring all your options, read our guides on the best way to get clients, the cheapest way to get clients and how to get trade work without Checkatrade. For a direct outreach approach, see pay-as-you-go AI calling.
Frequently asked questions
Which trades do letting agents need most?
Plumbers, electricians, cleaners and locksmiths are the four most frequently called trades. Builders, decorators and handymen are needed less often but still regularly for void property refurbishments and damp work.
How many letting agents should I approach?
As many as you can service. Start with ten to twenty in your area and build from there. AI cold calling lets you reach hundreds of agents in a single campaign without spending days on the phone.
Do letting agents pay on time?
Most letting agents pay within 14 to 30 days. Agree payment terms before starting work and invoice promptly with all certificates attached. Agents who manage portfolios for landlords typically have a regular payment run.
Is it worth offering a discount for regular work?
Usually yes. A small reduction in your rate in exchange for a steady stream of jobs improves your cash flow and reduces the time you spend marketing. A full diary at slightly lower margins is worth more than empty days between premium jobs.