Landlords are increasingly expected to look to tenants’ welfare rather than focus on the profitability of their properties. This has been an inevitable push given the concerns over continued accommodation for tenants during 2020 and beyond with Covid-19 still an unfortunate reality.
Here are 4 tips for landlords concerned about how to provide for tenant welfare.
1. Maintaining the Home
Landlords are still required to maintain the home throughout the year. They should not treat the issues with the Coronavirus this year as a way to avoid getting property repairs and other matters resolved successfully for tenants.
Arranging for safe access to the property is something that should be discussed. An assessment must be made about how high a priority the issue should be and how quickly it should be addressed to resolve it. Then make appropriate arrangements to have skilled people come over to fix the problem.
London landlords should be careful to avoid getting a black mark on their name through a lack of attentiveness to property repairs and maintenance. The last thing they want to happen is to land on the Rogue landlord list for London due to letting their standards slip.
2. Helping for Tenants Moving Out
It is useful for landlords to provide helpful advice or contact details for removal companies, where tenants can secure packing boxes and other relevant suggestions.
While some tenants may be happy to sort out these details when they’re moving, if they’ve having to move to be nearer to a sick family member or because of financial difficulties, then planning becomes harder to deal with as their stress rises. Helpful ideas can go a long way.
One recommended moving company is Twilley & Son Removals. They’ve been offering removal services using their colourful vans for many years and know what’s required for residential customers.
3. Providing a Safe Environment
For multiple tenants in an HMO shared by different individuals or couples, staying safe is difficult to achieve. Certainly, taking reasonable precautions including providing hand wash and face masks will be appreciated by tenants struggling to source them.
Also, should a tenant begin to exhibit related symptoms that suggest they’re unwell, then they should be advised to get tested for Covid-19 as soon as possible. Furthermore, other tenants must do so to ensure that there’s isn’t a risk of spreading the disease further within the property. And if necessary, communal areas in the property should be cleaned to remove the risk of infection from infected surfaces, etc.
4. Adhering to the Covid-19 Related Rules
Certain tenants are protected from eviction in England until 25th January 2021, based on an extension of the previous action by the UK government. From late January, however, housing-related evictions and proceedings will resume unless a change happens.
While adhering to the Covid-19 related rules relating to evictions is necessary, it’s also up to individual landlords how they wish to handle matters like rent arrears. In London, the Mayor is asking for the right to enact a rent freeze for two-years to help tenants continue to afford their rental accommodation. Therefore, whilst renters are struggling, landlords will be under increasing pressure to be more supportive.
It’s an unusual time. For landlords, finding alternative options and being more helpful than customary is beneficial for all.