Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Monday  30 November  2020

by the Property  Team

Post No. 169

Private Residential Property Management in the Context of Localisation of COVID-19 Management

How the three-tiered system after COVID-19 lockdown 2 may affect landlords’/ladies’ property letting and tenants’ rental interests

This week, we will be working with landlords/ladies and renters on the management of private residential properties in the context of three-tiered local lockdown system to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

For example, the control of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic requires the use of face coverings, regular hand washing and the keeping of doors and windows open for good air ventilation during property viewings. 

There are print and online resources published by the UK Government and property organisations which cover the coronavirus three-tiered system or the local lockdown restrictions.  However, not everybody understands every single piece of this information. 

For those landlords/ladies and renters who are having some problems in interpreting these resources, we will be working with them on the UK Government reverted localised system of managing the coronavirus pandemic, especially on how it affects property lettings and rentals.

Areas of working together to be covered

Our work with them will consider three key areas:

(1) Working together to understand the COVID-19 alert system in relation to property lettings and rentals

(2) Finding out the extent to which the three-tiered system may affect their individual letting or rental interest depending on the tier (tier 1 or 2 or 3) the property is in

(3) Exploring with them the best way to follow their tier rules as far as lettings or rentals are concerned

What does this working together mean in practical terms?

Points to consider on a practical level

We shall together try to deal with the following identified pointers:

√ Restricted level of interactions between landlords/ladies and tenants

√ Letting or rental in-person

√ Property listing

√ Length of notice ahead of property visit

√ Maintenance work and safety checks

√ Viewings under strict safety guidelines and/or safely remote viewings

√ Arrangement about tradespeople

√ Property preparation for incoming tenants

√ Rearrangement of repair work

√ Virtual property valuations

√ Social distancing and hygiene measures during visits 

Etc.

Some of these points relate to landlords/ladies and others to both landlords/ladies and renters.

Expectations from this week’s working together

One would hope that at the end of this week’s activity, landlords/ladies and renters will be

√ Better informed about the tier in which their property or interest is

√ Considering the implications of belonging to a particular tier in terms of property letting or rental requirements

√ Minimising or nullifying the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the context of lettings or rentals

√ Maintaining safe and healthy relationships between them (landlords/ladies and tenants)

√ Not upsetting the functioning and structure of their tier so that they can get throughout the coronavirus crisis safely and healthily

√ Protecting their interest and investment

√ Having peace of mind as they will be fully aware of the rules of the game

Etc.

Need support about how the three-tiered system will affect your interest, please do not hesitate to work with Home Relief.

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Monday  23 November  2020

by the Property  Team

Post No. 168

Coronavirus, Lockdown and Essential Property Maintenance

How to keep essential cleaning for private residential properties within the context of anti-coronavirus measures relating to property management

At the moment, we are in the context of e-following the UK Government advice and the NHS guidance in order to protect each other against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.  In this context, it is required to everybody to make sure that they clean any potential traces of Covid-19 germs or viruses in their property from the entrance to the inside as well as around the building.  This should be done knowingly or unknowingly that the Covid-19 can survive on hard surfaces for up to a week.

As part of essential or perhaps life-saving cleaning duties making the essential property maintenance, we are going to follow this non-clinical decontamination requirement for collective health protection from the coronavirus.  This essential cleaning includes: household items, shopping, clothes, personal items (such as keys, wallets, bank cards, etc.) and shoes. 

• Coronavirus-related essential cleaning

Within the private rental property maintenance, there are many aspects of cleaning.  However, in the context of this week’s e-exercise with landlords/ladies and renters, we are going to focus on the cleaning elements relating to anti-coronavirus pandemic.  We are going to e-discuss with landlords/ladies and renters this cleaning matter.

At the moment, landlords/ladies may be spending money to decontaminate their properties from any potential traces of coronavirus germs or strains.  They may be spending on cleaning products and materials necessary either to keep their rented properties or the one they reside free from any traces of Covid-19 germs. 

Many of them have cleaning experience from the first shock wave of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.  Some of them may be sharing information and good practices on this matter with their tenants in the interest of public health protection.  There are still those who may not be aware of this information.

• Areas of coronavirus-related essential maintenance for e-discussion

In the process of spending for health protection, landlords/ladies and renters may encounter difficulties to differentiate between essential and non-essential spendings in order to protect themselves and people around them.  To ease this process for them and tenants, we will be e-discussing with them the following:

√ Essential and non-essential spending items in their cleaning budgets regarding the anti-coronavirus measures

√ Recommended key cleaning products and techniques to get rid of the traces of coronavirus hazards

√ Areas of properties to clean and wipe to disinfect them from Covid-19 germs

√ Protective equipment and clothes for this kind of anti-coronavirus cleaning work

√ The weekly or monthly cleaning budget for protection against coronavirus

√ Cleaning before and after property viewings, or between two tenancies

√ Social distancing rules and other health precautions (such as the wearing of face coverings and gloves) within the context of property maintenance

√ Stores and shops where to purchase at affordable prices essential cleaning products as well as where to get information and advice

Etc.

In addition to the above, we are going to share some effective cleaning practices, stories, experiences, online sources, resources (such as videos) and leads regarding non-clinical decontamination of properties from Covid-19 germs.

For example, there are many hand sanitizers sold on the market.  However, not all of them have the medically recommended level of percentage of alcohol to be effective against the germs of the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, we are going to e-work with them via ONLY phone, text, email and contact form to try to exchange ideas and good practices about essential cleaning in the critical context of non-clinical decontamination of private rental properties from the traces or strains of coronavirus pandemic during the lockdown.

Like many of us, renters and landlords/ladies are searching for the best possible way of cleaning household items and of carrying out preventive personal hygiene against the Covid-19 germs.

Need to e-discuss your property cleaning matter to get rid of the Covid-19 risk factor, please do not hesitate to e-work with Home Relief. 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Monday  16 November  2020

by the Property  Team

Post No. 167

Residential Private Property Management  and the Second Lockdown

How to put in place alternative arrangements for property management in the context of the second lockdown

 

This week, we will be virtually working on essential and non-essential aspects of residential property management within the context of decontamination in non-clinical settings and social distancing requirements for managed properties in order to slow down and contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic during the second lockdown and beyond.

The purpose of this week’s work

The purpose of this week’s work is to adapt aspects of residential private property management to suit the situation of this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic while protecting the interests of the parties in the contractual agreement.

This adaptation can be done without going against the legal framework and the housing sector rules, however by working together with landlords/ladies to support them in putting in place property management plan or alternative arrangement that reflects the current context of second lockdown. 

It is hoped that the adaptation will secure peace of mind and protect landlords’/ladies’ property investment against any threats brought by the coronavirus and related lockdown. 

This kind of adaptation could mean rethink some aspects of property management.

Rethinking essential and non-essential maintenance, emergency and non-emergency works

As the coronavirus pandemic crisis continues, there are renters and landlords/ladies who may be having to rethink any issues or works related to the property management, particularly they have to rethink between essential and non-essential issues or works, between emergency and non-emergency ones.  Alternatively, they may have to remember what happened to property management during the first shock wave of the coronavirus pandemic and first lockdown.

At this time of the second lockdown, everybody including renters and landlords/ladies should follow the government’s guidance and the NHS advice.    We will apply as much as we can this guidance within the context of residential property management.

Context of self-isolation and social distancing rules

Within the contexts of self-isolation and social distancing requirements, both landlords/ladies and tenants are required to only communicate via phone, text and email.  If landlords/ladies follow the government’s guidance and the NHS advice, they should not arrange any inspections or non-essential works during this period unless it cannot be avoided.  The same, tenants are advised against having visitors in the property. 

However, where for example a tenant has a mental health issue or is classified as a vulnerable person, there are different provisions from the government; provisions which both landlords/ladies and tenants need to explore and to be aware since these provisions could be different in the second lockdown from the first lockdown.

How to deal with maintenance issues during the second lockdown

Like in the first lockdown, in the second lockdown tenants may have maintenance issues, but may find it difficult to ask their landlords/ladies or managing agents to deal with these issues.  To help both contractual parties to manage management issues during this exceptional time of the coronavirus and lockdown, we will be discussing with them how to go about them. 

For example, we will be relooking at together what is essential and non-essential repair or visit or cleaning at managed properties at this time of the coronavirus pandemic.     

How we will be working with them

This week, we are working with them via ONLY phone, text, email and contact form to try to find alternative arrangements for property management in the critical context of life-threatening impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like many of us, renters and landlords/ladies are searching ways of adapting to this new difficult situation.

Need to discuss your property management issue while taking into account the Covid-19 constraint, please do not hesitate to e-work with Home Relief. 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Monday  09 November  2020

by the Property  Team

Post No. 166

 

 

Making your HOME a Place of RELIEF from Coronavirus and Lockdown

How to create an adaptable indoor living environment during the time of coronavirus pandemic and the national lockdown

As many renters and landlords/ladies may be home bound during the coronavirus pandemic and the national lockdown, we are exchanging ideas with them on the best possible way of making their home, whether it is rented with or without landlord/lady resident, a place of relief during this difficult time.

We are all following the news, reviews, data and updates as they unfold about the cases and numbers related to the coronavirus.  We are as well continuing to listen to the lockdown restrictions.  We are further following the hygiene and health security measures as we have been recommended to apply them in the interest of everybody.  It is a difficult time, but also a unique one.

The uniqueness of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown situation

In this unique situation of the coronavirus and lockdown, we are indeed trying to support those with the most basic need of having a home.  Amongst them are: those who may have fallen behind their rent payments, those who lost their jobs and businesses, those who are living in unaffordable home, those who may become homeless, etc.    

The good and bad news about the coronavirus and lockdown

The good news is that the UK government has extended some of the coronavirus support schemes which may enable some of private and social renters affected by coronavirus to address the issues they are facing.  The bad news is some renters are still suffering from the effects of the coronavirus and lockdown.   Also, unscrupulous players on the property market are trying to take advantage of the situation.

Engagement with renters and landlords/ladies on creativity about adapting homes

On our part, we are e-discussing with renters and landlords/ladies the following issues during the coronavirus period: viewings, rent payments and arrears, repairs and maintenance issues, etc. 

We are as well looking at various ways of adapting their homes to create a better indoor living during this worrying time.   During the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown time, being creative in adapting homes could include the following:

√ Taking into account the social distancing regulations inside a property or a block of flats for renters and landlords/ladies who do not form the same coronavirus support bubbles

√ Organising the indoor layout to make property disinfection easier from the traces of the coronavirus

√ Adapting a property for viewing purposes and for any pre-arranged emergency visits from the maintenance persons

√ Sorting out the property indoor structure to do fitness and health exercises to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic

√ Organising home office or a study area for those renters or landlords/ladies working or studying from home during the lockdown

Etc.

Some renters and landlords/ladies have already dealt with these matters during the first lockdown.  Others have not yet faced this problem.  Others more may want to improve from what they did during the first lockdown.

For example, the following issues have been raised: how to apply social distancing indoor between landlords/ladies and tenants or between tenants themselves, how to self-isolate without bumping into each other, etc.

Types home bound people who may need adaptation of their homes

From a rental perspective, we may have during this time different types of home bound people like the following ones:

• Renters in multiple-rented accommodation who may be confined in the same property at the same time

• Landlord/lady residents who may be self-isolating in the same property with their tenants

• Landlords/ladies or renters who are quarantining in their homes

• Landlords/ladies and renters may be working from home while looking after kids, etc.

Since pubs, restaurants (except for takeaways only), and places of entertainment are closed while contact sport and indoor mixings are banned in England, there is a need for landlords/ladies and renters to try to make their HOME a place of RELIEF from the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. 

This week, we are e-working with them via phone, text, email and contact form to try to find ways of creating an adaptable indoor environment while this coronavirus crisis and lockdown last.  Like many of us, renters and landlords/ladies are searching ways of adapting their homes to this difficult situation.

Need to discuss ways of adapting your indoor living environment while taking into account the inconvenience brought by Covid-19 lockdown, do not hesitate to e-work with Home Relief.

 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes

Welcome to Home Relief Bulletin Board

Monday  02 November  2020

by the Property  Team

Post No. 165

 

What would the second lockdown mean for my residential property letting and renting plans?

As England is preparing to enter the second lockdown from midnight (12:00 am) Thursday 05/11/2020, many landlords/ladies and renters would be rethinking their letting and rental plans and what this lockdown could mean for them.  They may reconsider either to take a tenant (for landlords/ladies) or to rent (for renters) now or to postpone or simply to abandon their respective plans. 

This is a difficult time for everybody to make any decisions since the coronavirus pandemic is not showing any sign of coming down.  Non-essential activities or businesses have been advised to physically close again at least until the 2^nd of December 2020 or operate only online in order to manage the crisis.  We continue to follow the government’s advice and guidance while listening to the industry (the property industry’s advice) on the subject.

For those landlords/ladies who want to let out their properties, they may want know more about what they should do in terms of property letting and management guidance in relation to the Covid-19 issue.  Likewise, for renters who desperately need somewhere to live, they may be willing to be informed on what to do to secure a safe place at this time.

As we all are aware, there are already general and special measures (publicized by the government and many health and protection agencies) that need to be seriously taken by everybody to protect themselves and others in order to slow down the pace and speed of Covid-19. 

On top these already-in-place measures and advice, we are going both to re-customise them in the areas of residential property letting and management, as well as re-add new ones which are relevant to the property industry itself.  

So, before the second lockdown effectively kicks off we are going to go extra miles in exchanging views and knowledge with landlords/ladies and renters on the possible healthiest and safest way of letting and renting a property during this critical time of Covid-19 bubbles.

Because of the health and protection advice and guidance we need to follow all of us, this week’s activity will only be run via phone conversations, text messages, video calls, emails and web contact forms.  In practical terms, it means that those landlords/ladies and renters who would like to proceed with their respective letting and rental plans during this period of Covid-19 shock waves and crisis, they are welcome to remotely discuss their plans with Home Relief.   And, if there is any specific piece of information from the sector (property sector), it is a good idea to share it so that any lettings and rentals can be done in a healthy and safe environment. 

Like every non-essential retails, we will be handling only essential and emergency enquiries and queries once the second lockdown is effective and as long as it lasts.

Need to discuss your letting or rental plans while taking into account the Covid-19 risk factor, do not hesitate to e-work with Home Relief. 

If you are looking for an affordable location and home, Home Relief is the people dealing with affordable homes you could consider in your property searches and enquiries.

For more information about our property service to home buyers and tenants, please go to https://homerelief.co/tenants/

For more information about our property service to home sellers and landlords/ladies, please go to https://homerelief.co/landlord

For properties to rent and let, go to https://homerelief.co/property-search/

For weekly property news and updates, please read our weekly posts.

Thank you for reading this post.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits to Home Relief website and to doing business with you throughout the year.

Many thanks!

Home Relief – freelance e-property people dealing with affordable homes