Can you work from home if you are a tenant?
The world of work has changed due to coronavirus, but can you work from home if you are a tenant? Many renters have been left unsure if they are breaking their tenancy agreement by working from home. Here, we look at the current rules and regulations and how you can work safely from home.
How has work changed since the pandemic?
In the 10 months that since the start of the pandemic, millions of people have worked from home through multiple lockdowns. Many have made the abrupt shift to working from home and adapted to the many hurdles that come with it. We all know that work will never be the same, even if we don’t yet know all the ways in which it will be different. Coronavirus has inevitably increased the number of tenants working from home, even outside of lockdown. But how has this changed things? Many tenancy agreements come with clauses in the contract that prevent any business activity taking place in rental properties.
What constitutes working from home?
Any work undertaken at home is working from home, but there are important variants. These are: ‘working at home for your job’ or ‘running a business from home.’ Traditionally people have often worked from home and this has not affected their tenancy. But whether your homeworking is allowed will depend on the type of work and if it causes wear and tear on the property. In most cases, people work indoors and are mostly computer-based, which should be fine. However, speak to your landlord first to ensure you are not breaching any terms of your contract.
How can landlords increase their support for home workers?
One option is to offer longer leases. With the uncertainty the pandemic has created, there is growing demand for longer leases, such as 22 months. Now more than ever, landlords need to be flexible, allowing tenants to extend or increase their leases. Another way for landlords to support tenants is providing good insulation. Energy costs will now likely increase, so helping to make a property more attractive will help secure, and keep, tenants. Outdoor space – inevitably this is now more important than ever. Landlords can advise tenants on how they can maximise the outdoor space of the property and make it more accessible.
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