Information for landlords in post-COVID England 13 May 2020
We would like to update you on what we are doing for our managed landlords, now that the Government has green-lighted the resumption of activities in the estate agency world for England.
All Landlords
All landlords should make every effort to abide by gas and electrical safety requirements. This may be more difficult due to restrictions associated with the coronavirus outbreak, for example, where a tenant has coronavirus symptoms, is self-isolating or shielding. Under such circumstances, provided the landlord can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to comply, they would not be in breach.
Moving in new tenants
The guidelines further state that Letting agents and landlords should take steps to ensure any properties are prepared ready for new tenants, this includes cleaning to minimise any potential spread of the virus in line with government advice. Our approved cleaning contractor has ordered a Fogging Machine, or a Fogger as it is sometimes called, which uses a fine spray to apply a sanitiser chemical during the professional cleaning of properties.
Inventory Clerk Appointments
Inventory clerk appointments will continue to take place before a tenant moves in or after a tenant moves out during vacant periods if possible. We will be working on how best to conduct tenancy check-ins for new tenancies agreed while broader measures remain in place, taking care to follow government advice on social distancing to minimise the possible spread of coronavirus.
Rental Property Management
Regarding the management of rental properties the guidelines state that, if possible, necessary repairs, gas, and electrical safety checks should be conducted in the period between a property being vacated and a new tenant moving in. If this is not possible and visits are needed to an occupied property, this should be done by appointment with measures put in place to ensure physical contact is minimised, for example with residents staying in another room during the visit or standing out in the garden.
The COVID-19 measures that adjust right to rent checks, temporarily allowing these checks to be conducted remotely remain in place and we are looking into other areas where in-person payments, referencing or checks can be conducted remotely instead.
For more information please get in touch.
#staysafe
Sara Grey, Lettings Manager
t. 01483 284141
