Post-Lockdown and Looking forward to 1st August 2020 and Beyond

Yesterday Boris Johnson took to the podium for the first time in 2 weeks to announce the next phase the Government’s plan to move the UK back towards some kind of “normalcy”. Since the WHO announced that what the World was facing was a “Pandemic”, all eyes and ears have been on the UK Government to see what would happen next.

Almost 4 months since Lockdown, life has changed beyond all recognition - queuing, which we British were so famous for, is the norm, no unruly behaviour in the Aldi car park when waiting patiently to be allowed in. Cleanliness and hygiene is at their front of everyone’s mind - those who mocked those who wiped their cutlery before eating in a restaurant or cafe or sprayed their desks, keyboards and phones with Dettol, are not laughing now. This will always part of the new “normal”. With face masks and face coverings mandatory on public transport and due to become mandatory in shops and all retail outlets, the attitude to wearing masks in public has changed dramatically as more and more scientific evidence shows the risk of transmission the virus could be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air . Some people feel anxious about the way in which we will no longer be able to “read” facial expressions, reliant only on the eyes and the emotion expressed through the windows of our soul.

Every day we receive approximately 30 Government emails which relate to different aspects of our daily lives - from information & guidance for businesses - to how we can socially interact in public.

We have focused out thoughts on aspects that impact residential lettings, property management & estate agency.

1. Face Coverings at Work. There is no specific guidance for workplaces because of the variety of work environments in different industries. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has provided detailed guidance for specific workplace settings. Most letting agents, property managers and estate agents are wearing face masks and face coverings when working in close proximity with the public, in particular when conducting valuations, viewings, check ins, and check outs.

2. Working from Home & the Return to the Working Environment - On 1 August the government will update its advice on going to work, asking employers to make decisions about how and where their staff can work safely. Wales, Scotland and Ireland will continue to implement specific guidelines; the Welsh housing market has continued to open through a phased approach along the same lines as the Scottish. It is important to reiterate that the Government will expect employers to assess risk, discuss the return to work with employees still WFH and ensure that the correct protocols are in place.

3. Additional support for businesses is made available as the return continue to be phased in.

4. Travel Plans Abroad - If you or your employees intend tp travel abroad, it is important to ensure that the current and correct guidance in the place where you live - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is followed before making plans to travel abroad.

5. Students and Higher Education - The Government have designed guidance in England to understand how to minimise risk during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and provide services to students. As students begin to move to their university/college of choice, letting agents will be involved final process relating to the execution of contracts, right to rent checks and also move ins from now up to and including the end of August - beginning of September. Please make sure that students understand what your protocols are and how they are required to adhere to health safety legislation. Guarantors (often parents) will need to be made aware of the protocols in place within your letting agency.

6. Coronavirus (COVID-19): landlord Right to Rent checks.

   Due to the Lockdown, the Government relaxed the procedures relating to “face-to-face” checks for Right to Rent.

   However, retrospective check must be carried out within 8 weeks of the COVID-19 measures ending. Records for both checks (the original and retrospective checks) should be kept for your records. Mark the retrospective check: “the individual’s tenancy agreement commenced on [insert date]. The prescribed right to rent check was undertaken on [insert date] due to COVID-19.”

   The Home Office will not take any enforcement action against you if you carried out the adjusted check set out in this guidance, or a check via the Home Office, and follow this up with the retrospective check.

7. Remember that property inspections CAN be carried out in but the correct protocols MUST be followed.

Susie Crolla - CEO