Letting Agent's Date for the Diary - 2021
A few days into 2021 and we are already navigating the beginning of a third Lockdown. The difference this time is that lettings agents, landlords and tenants have been here before. Covid-19 Protocols are in place, there is a much better understanding of what can and cannot be done, WFH processes systems are up and running.
Being organised and prepared is very important. Certain things will be happening in 2021 than can be managed and planned for now. Landlords will need their letting agents support and guidance more than ever, so plan your diary well.
The third Consultation on Domestic Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms ends on 11th January 2021.
The proposals are that social landlords ensure at least one smoke alarm is installed on each storey of a building where any rooms are used as living accommodation; carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted alongside the installation of fixed combustion appliances of any fuel type; and private and social landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms in any room used as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is used.
Lockdown 3.0 - Q and A for Letting Agents
As a result of Boris Johnson's address to the nation yesterday, many questions have been raised about what can and cannot be done in relation to Lettings, Property Management and Housing in general.
Here are a few answers to questions you may have in relation to navigating the day to day running of your agency.
Are Lettings Agents, Property Management Companies and Estate Agents permitted to open during the next Lockdown?
Yes, Estate and Letting Agents can continue to trade
Can offices open?
If members of your team can work from home, then they should do so. If an office remains open, restrict access and make sure that a “By Appointment Only” policy is in place.
Follow strict Covid Protocols and continue to implement Track and Trace
Can Viewings and Valuations take place?
Yes, however, the first option should always be Virtual Valuations or Virtual Viewings
Face-to-face appointments should only take place where it is absolutely necessary
Covid Protocols MUST be in place at ALL times and any person that is due to come into contact with members of your team MUST be advised how these protocols have been put in place to protect everyone.
Can existing deals go ahead?
Yes – Moving home is permitted and any agreed deals pre-Lockdown can go ahead. New deals can be agreed and continue to take place.
Can Inventories, Check-Ins, Property Inspections and Check Outs still take place?
Yes, but ALL Covid Protocols MUST be in place. Please note that video - Zoom - FaceTime can be used to conduct Property Inspections
Prime Minister's address to the nation as Third Lockdown for England is announced
The Transcript of the Prime Minister’s Speech made this evening at 8pm is as follows:-
Since the pandemic began last year, the whole United Kingdom has been engaged in a great national effort to fight Covid.
And there is no doubt that in fighting the old variant of the virus, our collective efforts were working and would have continued to work.
But we now have a new variant of the virus. It has been both frustrating and alarming to see the speed with which the new variant is spreading.
Our scientists have confirmed this new variant is between 50 and 70 per cent more transmissible – that means you are much, much more likely to catch the virus and to pass it on.
As I speak to you tonight, our hospitals are under more pressure from Covid than at any time since the start of the pandemic.
In England alone, the number of Covid patients in hospitals has increased by nearly a third in the last week, to almost 27,000.
That number is 40 per cent higher than the first peak in April.
Preparedness - Staying Focused and Hopeful in 2021
Resilience - Relentless - Change - Optimism - Challenging - Adaptable - Unprecedented - Testing - Unexpected - Grateful - Unpredictable - Overwhelming - Weird - Surreal - Tumultuous - Sad - Revealing
Looking back at 2020 so may feelings and emotions come to the fore, some of the words describing how we felt and what we expereinced can be used to sum up a year that change everything and everyone.
However, looking back can only serve the purpose of ensuring we are able to move forward in a different way to the way we lived before the Pandemic, before we knew what Covid-19 actually meant.
As the New Year approaches people will start to think about resolutions and change but 2021 is the year of Hope. So what’s the best way to approach 2021.
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Understand and Reflect on what we have been through. We should never forget the challenges and obstacles that were beyond our control and yet we did our utmost to overcome them.
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Plan Plan Plan for a very different future. Life is not nor it ever will be the same, hence the Great Reset - Version 4.0 of the next phase of our lives.
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Be Optimistic The negativity has overtaken us all, Look forward to something fresh and new, with a twist.