Landlords 'need to watch out for rogue builders'

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Local council leaders have warned landlords whose properties were damaged by recent flooding to be careful who they hire to carry out repair work.

Officials are concerned that unscrupulous rogue traders and cowboy builders could look to capitalise on the recent disaster and exploit landlords hoping to have their properties repaired as quickly as possible.

To make sure builders are legitimate and qualified, the Local Government Association (LGA) advised landlords to always check ID badges of builders, obtain written quotations before work begins, never pay anything until the building is complete and check the builders are approved by insurance companies.

In addition, landlords can contact their local trading standards office for further guidance.

"Experiences from previous natural disasters, including other flooding incidents, show that rogue traders and cowboy builders will seize any opportunity to profit from the desperation and hardship of others," warned Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of Lacors, the central organisation which monitors local councils.

"Our advice is simple; if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that around 50,000 claims have already been made regarding the most recent flooding in the Midlands.

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