What are the symptoms of coronavirus? The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature. What should I do if I develop these symptoms or notice them in a tenant? If you live alone and develop even mild symptoms, you are advised to self-isolate for at least seven days. For people who live with others, the advice is for all...

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature.

What should I do if I develop these symptoms or notice them in a tenant?

If you live alone and develop even mild symptoms, you are advised to self-isolate for at least seven days.

For people who live with others, the advice is for all members of the household to self-isolate for 14 days from the point the first person showed symptoms. If anyone does develop symptoms towards the end of this period, they should still isolate for seven days from the point of showing symptoms.

If any ill person in the household has not had any signs of improvement and have not already sought medical advice, they should contact NHS 111 online. If your home has no internet access, you should call NHS 111.

What is the advice for tenants who are self-isolating, particularly in shared or Student accommodation properties?

It’s important that anyone self-isolating follows the Government’s advice, to minimize the risk of infecting others. This is particularly important in houses in multiple occupations (HMOs) where individuals share amenities and are always in close contact with each other.

It’s also important that tenants in shared properties let the landlord/property manager and their fellow tenants know if they have symptoms, as the Government advises that the whole household should now self-isolate for 14 days. We have made all our tenants aware of this.

If I do interact with my tenants during this time what should I be doing?

Firstly, you should consider whether or not it is absolutely necessary to interact with your tenant during this period.

If it is absolutely essential and you and they are not symptomatic then you should practice social distancing during any visits. You and any contractors should also ensure you are following the Government’s guidance on hand-washing while visiting the property.

What should landlords do if their tenants have been affected by the coronavirus? What should I do?

UK Finance recommends you contact your lender as soon as you are aware that your tenants are unable to pay the rent due to the direct or indirect effect of Covid 19 to discuss your options as soon as possible.

What are the criteria for applying for the mortgage holiday?

For buy to let landlords the key criteria is that their tenant must have been directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus.

The other key criteria is that you must be up to date on your current mortgage payments.

How do I establish my tenant has been impacted by coronavirus?

Mortgage lenders have agreed that landlords may contact their lender to self-certify that their tenant has been impacted. This done on the understanding this mortgage holiday will be passed down to their tenants.

What happens at the end of the mortgage holiday?

While payments are suspended for the duration of the mortgage holiday interest will continue to accrue on the mortgage and those mortgage payments will eventually have to be made up. Your mortgage lender will be able to discuss options with you to help repay the additional interest accrued, your credit rating will not be affected by asking for a payment holiday

What are the main changes to possession?

Emergency legislation to suspend repossessions from social or private rented accommodation during the national emergency.

No new possession proceedings through applications to the court to start during the crisis.

Does the suspension on repossessions apply to ongoing possession claims?

Based on the wording of the announcement the suspension should apply to new applications only. However, there are likely to be significant delays to hearing existing possession claims as the courts have been instructed to stop listing numerous possession applications on the same day.

In addition, several county courts have suspended bailiff applications in the expectation of new legislation.

Melanie Estates advise that you keep closely monitoring the government’s daily updates because they are constantly providing information on how Coronavirus affects all of us, our finances, and the Private Rented Sector (PRS)

How long is the suspension on possession applications expected to last?

No maximum time frames have been outlined for this suspension, however, it will last at least three months.

Can I serve a notice during this suspension?

Based on the wording of the announcement, it should still be possible to serve a notice as the suspension is on starting possession proceedings in court rather than serving notices.

However, it is not advised to serve a notice at this time and landlords should wait for further updates and guidance on this topic. The legislation has not been published yet and further details will shed light on this.

If you self-manage your properties; Below are the points that you should consider:

How should I market and arrange my properties whilst practicing social distancing?

Here at Melanie Estates, we are advising landlords who self-manage to engage a decent-sized agency to start managing your properties, this is because the likelihood of ALL of their staff self-isolating at the same time is very minimal. Here at Melanie Estates, we have a team of seven who are all working remotely now, we also have an array of contractors who we can rely on in case of emergencies. Some landlords will still have properties that are either vacant or with tenancies about to end that need to be re-let. While demand for rental properties and requests for viewings are likely to fall, some people will still need to move and will be looking for properties to let.

Should I continue to perform property inspections and visits during this period?

Landlords are still under a legal obligation to keep their property in repair and ensure any necessary inspections of the property are performed but this must be balanced against the risk of the infection or spread of the virus.

Anyone self-isolating is advised to avoid having any visitors to their home. If the tenant informs you they are self-isolating, you should cancel any planned visits or inspections and rearrange them for a suitable time in the future. Ensure this is documented.

What if my tenant is self-isolating, and we were due to complete a Gas Safe inspection and/or repairs to the property?

Anyone self-isolating is advised to avoid any visitors to their home. This may affect landlords’ or their agent’s ability to inspect properties or arrange for maintenance works or repairs, such as Gas Safe inspections to be done.

In these circumstances, we advise the landlord to keep a dialogue going with the tenant. You should document the reason you are unable to carry out the check. You should also ask the tenant to explain in an email or writing that they are self-isolating and that they are advised not to allow visitors to the property. You should book an inspection for as soon as possible after the tenant has completed the self-isolation period. It’s also advisable to inform the local authority housing team that you are unable to complete the inspection at this time as this may be needed at a later date.

If you need access for a repair, landlords need to make a judgment on a case by case basis depending on the urgency of the situation.

If an urgent repair is identified, or another legal obligation must be fulfilled (such as a gas installation inspection), then you may enter the property with the permission of the tenant. You and any contractors present should ensure you are not symptomatic. In addition, you should follow all guidelines on social distancing and hand washing while the work or inspection is performed.

My tenant has asked to end the tenancy early because their circumstances have changed due to the outbreak. How should I respond?

Some tenants may ask their landlord to end their tenancy early. Typically, this can occur where a university or college has suspended courses or teaching. This is now the case in Norwich as The University of East Anglia closed the University on 16/03/20 well before the Government ‘s intervention of Friday, and Norwich University of Arts closed on 24/03/20.

While you legally could enforce the terms of the tenancy and claim rent for the remaining period, it may be better to negotiate an end to the tenancy with the tenant or arrange a rent holiday with the tenant. You have to make a judgment call depending on your case and your tenant’s payment history

I had agreed a tenancy with some prospective tenants, but they are now pulling out before they have moved in. What can I do?

Some landlords have prospective tenants that have agreed on tenancies but are pulling out before they take up occupation. Tenants may seek to do this for a number of reasons. Some tenants may have been caught by travel restrictions and unable to travel to the UK, others may have seen a job offer withdrawn or a course cancelled.

It is unlikely that you could enforce the terms of the agreement in these circumstances.

Melanie Estates advises landlords who have tenancies scheduled to start at the beginning of September 2020 for the next academic year to keep in regular contact with their prospective tenants so they up to date with the student’s intention with their tenancies. This will not only help you to renegotiate an alternative move-in date with the students but also a rent reduction if their finances have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. In the worst-case scenario you know when to start remarketing the property if they have completely decided not to return to the University.

If you are worried about the Coronavirus Pandemic and how this will affect the management of property, your current tenancy agreement, or a tenancy agreement due to start in a future date, you can contact me directly for a friendly chat on 07946681568. I am available from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, to discuss your options.

P.S Don’t leave it to chance or until it’s too late. Take control of your finances and talk to the experts today. It’s completely FREE!