Where the law draws the line for a handyman: gas work, notifiable electrical work, new windows and other jobs that need Building Regulations sign-off.
Checks to make on an Oxfordshire handyman: Companies House, voluntary registers, Buy With Confidence, insurance, a written price and doorstep callers.
What Oxford City Council HMO licence conditions mean for repairs: 6-monthly inspections, 14-day replies, alarm tests and end-of-tenancy clear-outs.
An autumn list for Oxfordshire homes: gutters, drains, ditches, frozen pipes, flood warnings and draughts. Based on Thames Water and county council advice.
Small jobs that can need consent on an Oxfordshire listed building or in a conservation area: windows, paint, fences, trees, with district council links.
How deposit protection works in England, what counts as fair wear and tear, and which end-of-tenancy repairs a landlord can fairly charge for.
Guides
Plain guides to common problems, the rules and how to check a firm. Each guide lists its sources.