YES. See the ins. Binder/declaration page. Also have you phone camera ready to snap a foto

of it along with policy#.

I would then CALL the ins. Company/agent on the policy to verify that the policy is in force.

I did this some years when hiring a roofer. I was suspicious with this guy and called. The policy had expired 3 years earlier. Another had there policy expiring that day.

As a California Licensed Building Contractor with 6 specialty class licensees and employee's I carry:

a) A License Bond

b) General Liability Insurance

c) Workman's Compensation Insurance

d) When doing a large job for clients that require the order of Special Custom Non-Returnable Materials and asking the client for "Up front funds" -- I can obtain a "Payment" and "Performance" Bonds. This covers the client that all materials and labor will be paid and the Job will be done as stated in the contract.

Jeff, I get what you're saying and I used insured contractors almost always. That said, we both know there are a certain class of rental that could not function profitably if everything we're done 100% by the book. There's a notorious LL in my town right now who is getting his rear sure into oblivion, but not by tenants...Rather he quit paying his loans and banks are foreclosing on him.

This guy has been in operation longer than I have and is your textbook definition slum lord. IF he actually fixes anything (rare) it's with someone working under the table and zero licensing or insurance. Yet, when he finally gets taken down where will his 300+ tenants live? The only reason they aren't homeless is he takes them

Sid,I agree that we don't do everything by the book all the time, but some things should be etched into stone as they are more important.

There is no downside to using insured contractors 100% of the time. It really has nothing to do with the tenants. The risk isn't worth it.

The guy you mentioned has a failing business and only serves as an example of what not to do.

When does a tree man become an employee?

Before the ambulance arrives to sew his arm back on.

(A friend in Bible Study cut off his own arm with a chainsaw. He carried it to the ER and amazingly they sewed it back on. He wears long sleeve shirts.

I agree w/Sid and Ken above. The guy is just following his long term business plan. Easiest way to view this is to drive through any center city (or five or 6 blocks out from the redeveloped areas) and look at some of the deplorable conditions. Why would anyone chose to live in some of these buildings? Because they have burned EVERY bridge out there and no one else will rent to them.

The true slum lords in my area also know what they are doing and have successful businesses. It takes an entirely different mind set to run this business but it's profitable for those who do have the time, energy and systems in place.

Yes, always be sure that they carry insurance themselves, and if it's a thing in your state, are licensed/bonded.

Also ask to see the certificate ahead of time, and note who is insured. We hired a guy, who sent two guys to do the job. I looked at the certificate after they'd started, and discovered that only the boss was covered - who wasn't even there.

Well said, Pmh. I when I read threads like this I just laugh and shake my head. It's bizarre enough for a landlord to blur the relationship by having the tenants work on the property, but it's just as crazy to assume the risk of using uninsured workers.

What's really wild are are responses here in which folks are on board with this kind of nonsense. They have no idea.

I have been given some great advice on this site, and I have seen a huge number of posts that show what NOT to do.