Pesky Pests & How to deal with them
As the weather starts to warm up, the eco system starts to come alive. Bees, ants, wasps, rats, mice and other animals start to appear, causing tenants distress and concern. Tenancy agreements often include a clause which relates to who is responsible for the treatment of pests.
Insects, rodents and birds can easily contaminate food and work surfaces - these are potential pathogens that spread disease. Parasites carried by pest species can also be passed on to humans causing illness and stress.
The provision of pest management and control services is an area which is often overlooked, however inadequate pest control can often have catastrophic effects economically, socially and on the public's health. BPCA promotes the highest standards of professionalism. The BPCA provides a range of leaflets and information which makes navigating dealing with pests much more straightforward.
Big Changes for Landlords and Tenants from 1 June
The Parliamentary CLG Select Committee recently asked that the MHCLG set out its plans for unwinding the various measures put in place to protect tenants during the pandemic. Yesterday they did just that.
The stay on bailiff and HCEO evictions ends completely on 1 June and so landlords will now be able to enforce the various court orders they have obtained. Landlords could in principle apply for warrants now for action after 1 June but I am not sure that the Bailiff’s offices will allow this. There are suggestions of a massive burst of evictions as a result of this but I doubt that will occur. The reality is that the county court bailiffs simply do not have the capacity to do much more than they were doing pre-Covid and so I do not expect them to be doing that many more evictions than they were before the pandemic. The MHLCG press release suggests that there will be priority given to ASB and fraud cases but doubtless there will also be an element of first come, first served. The removal of the stay will also mean that all protections given to tenancies that fall outside one of the statutory regimes (non-Housing Act tenancies) and residential licences will lose all their protection from 1 June.
Also from 1 June there will be the start of a taper in relation to section 8 and 21 notice periods, which have been extended for the pandemic and the regulations to do this have already been laid. The first stage of the taper will last until the end of September.
Post Lockdown- What will your style look like?
A year of Zoom, Teams, Go Webinar has played havoc with the way in which we present ourselves. The beard has become a welcome addition for men who, having no access to a barber for on and off a year, decided not to shave an embrace this new look. Lounge wear and pyjamas became the go to fashion choice since Working from Home meant that as long as pyjama bottoms and slippers didn’t feature on screen during a management meeting, the more relaxed approach was totally acceptable. Handbags, ties and shoes were shoved to the back of the wardrobe, as hair colour went from the chosen artificial shade, to a combination of natural with a hint of grey. Self-care took over from make-up and that glossy made up look was only needed when facing the world from a lap-top or electronic device. Was it really necessary to spritz yourself with perfume or aftershave when no one could actually smell it?
What’s Your New Sense of Style
As Lockdown begins to be lifted, businesses start to re-open, barbers, hairdressers and beauty salons have been inundated with requests for appointments. Retail stores selling clothes are eager to welcome customers back into their shops as online everything took over with the speed of a Formula 1 car.
The Roadmap towards lifting Lockdown in England - The Return of the Soft Edges
It has been over a year since the first Lockdown and just over 3 months since the third, we have experienced drastic changes to our professional and personal lives. Children and students have had their education turned upside down. We have realised the importance of face-to-face social interaction and the fact that the “soft edges” have been missing from our lives, the things we have always taken for granted.
On April 12th, 2021, Stage 2 of the roadmap towards lifting lockdown comes into play and those “soft edges” will be re-introduced slowly into our lives, the escapism, the meeting face-to-face with family, friends, colleagues, sitting outside a cafe for a coffee or a beer, a long awaited visit to the barbers or hairdressers, going to the gym or swimming in a pool. Eventually, with sensible and measured protocols own place, we will hopefully work our way back to some sense of normality.