Covid19 and HMO’s
The world has experienced a devastating effect of the pandemic, here we look at the effect of Covid19 and HMO’s. The impact of this life changing situation is critical, and the UK will take time to rebuild. Our economy has taken one of the biggest hits on record and the housing market has been hugely affected. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as we start to ease into the ‘new normal’.
HMO Covid19 guidelines
With the new normal in full swing, it is the responsibility of landlords to ensure a rental property is ‘safe’. However, this doesn’t mean the daily cleaning and upkeep of the property, this remains the tenants responsibility. There is a lot of discussion in landlord forums about what is ‘good and clean decorative repair’ as outlined in the Management Regulations for HMOs. However, landlords do have a duty of care to ensure all common areas in an HMO don’t represent any infection risk.
Landlord visits
It is best for landlords to avoid unnecessary visits and deal with any issues over the phone where possible. When speaking to tenants, find out if they have any concerns and if they are equipped with enough cleaning materials. They could potentially struggle to get to a shop or arrange deliveries, so keep in contact regarding this. However, if possible, try to leave extra cleaning materials on the doorstep for your tenants to use. In addition to this, make sure tenants understand good hygiene practice, both in their personal care and for shared facilities.
Covid19 and HMO’s is a challenging issue but handled with the right care and attention both tenants and landlords safety can be protected.
If you’re a landlord looking for a reliable and experienced management service then contact us today.