General Measures during the Covid19 outbreak

 

This is an unprecedented situation and everyone has concerns over the impact of coronavirus. During this current time, the safety of our tenants, our staff and our contractors is extremely important to us. We are therefore implementing the following safety measures:

 

• We will be postponing our regular management visits until further notice
  
  
• We will still be carrying out gas safety checks, emergency repairs, etc, as required. However, to minimize risk to yourselves and to the contractors, we will be issuing them with our duplicate keys and we ask you to have no contact with the contractors if possible (stay in a separate room if possible)
  
  
• Please inform us IMMEDIATELY if you are self-isolating, either because you have the virus or because you have been in contact with someone with the virus. Also, please inform us when this ban is lifted from you
  
  
• Please check that we hold your most recent contact information. Just email me your current mobile telephone number for confirmation
  
  
• Our office has now reopened but we are operating a policy of social distancing and ask that you do not visit unless strictly necessary..
  

 

The best way to contact us during this period is either by phone or by email to jillian.ball@cmsgroup.uk.com.

 

We would also ask tenants to pay by bank transfer if possible in order to avoid handling cash, as the offices are closed.  Please email us for bank details; we would advise direct BACS transfer if this is possible as it will avoid a personal trip to the bank.

 

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Official advice for HMOs says tenants should:

• Remain in their own room as much as possible, avoiding communal areas
  
  
• Use separate cutlery and crockery
  
  
• Clean their own dishes and use a separate tea towel
  
  
• Schedule routines so that the person self-isolating uses the bathroom last
  
  
• Use separate towels and cloths
  
  
• Clean surfaces thoroughly

Information on Payment Holidays

You may have heard about the “rent holiday” during the current situation. We would like to take this opportunity to explain what this means. We have not seen the legislation with the details but we know the direction of travel. The government recognise that some people who are ill, self-isolating or even lose their jobs as a result of the current problems may not be able to pay rent. Obviously anyone who loses their job is encouraged to claim benefits at the earliest opportunity. Rent will remain and should be paid if at all possible. As it remains due, even if you cannot afford all the rent due to reduced income, please ensure you pay what you can as it will reduce the amount of rent you have to catch up on when this rule is lifted in three months’ time. The proposal does not take away the responsibility for the rent, it simply gives a little more time to pay before court action is started.

 

It will help us if you stay engaged and let us know your circumstance so that we can interact with you in the most appropriate way.

 

We are aware that many of our tenant's businesses are closed for the duration of the lockdown.

We are  currently following the proposals with regards to possible government loans, grants, support for the self-employed, etc in order to formulate our response.

We would like to support our commercial tenants as much as possible at this difficult time.

It will help us if you stay engaged and let us know your circumstance so that we can interact with you in the most appropriate way.