In this two-minute speed read; we look at what the new tier system means for landlords and people looking to rent in Stoke-on-Trent.
The news on Thursday that Stoke-on-Trent is moving to tier 2 this Saturday, in the effort to combat the spread of Coronavirus, has caused more concern from landlords and tenants.
The good news is that it shouldn’t.
This is because even in the highest tiered areas which the Government has said are at very high-risk, people can still move. Albeit with extra safety precautions which we’ve been practising since the lockdown.
In Stoke-on-Trent, from Saturday we will be described as ‘high alert’, which bans households mixing indoors.
But even in high alert areas, Government guidelines say you can still move home.
According to a statement on its website on Friday 16 October the Government advised: “You can still move home if you’re in a high alert level area. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work, and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.
Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing and wearing a face covering.”
Our priority is your safety. And that’s why we have the following measures in place to allow us to show people rental properties they are interested in.
Here are some of our Covid-secure steps.
1) We wear masks on all viewings.
2) We wear disposable gloves on each viewing – these are only worn once then recycled.
3) We carry and use hand sanitiser before and after each viewing.
4) We will be the only people to open or touch handles or cupboards.
5) We will wipe down any surfaces touched after the viewing has finished.
When it comes to managing the rental properties, we have to adapt to reduce face to face interactions, by using more virtual technology. Here are some of our adaptations:
1) Essential repairs and maintenance can carry on. Tenants will be asked to wait in the garden whilst the tradesman is indoors. All tradesmen are vetted and operate Covid secure policies.
2) All mandatory Gas Safety and Electrical Safety inspections will carry on, with the social distancing measures and no mixing of households indoors.
3) All periodic inspections will be changed to virtual inspections in the first instance. Face to face visits will be reserved for houses with the most serious tenant or repair issues. The reason for not continuing all face to face inspections is because it carries a high risk for agents and tenants. Agents attend at least 6 houses per day in succession and moving from household to household has the greatest risk of spreading Covid.
Everyone has a part to play in helping us all get back to normal as soon as possible, and we take our responsibility to keep you safe very seriously.
So, we’ll be following the guidelines and updates daily. And we’ll continue to help people move homes safely, securely, and successfully.
If you are a landlord or tenant in Stoke-on-Trent and have any questions about what the tier system might mean to you, please get in touch.
If you are a Belvoir Stoke landlord, feel free to call our Property Manager Josie Humphreys or Lettings Negotiator Sandra Banks to discuss the implications of Tier 2 on your property. Our office will remain open but via appointment only.
Thank you for reading!
