Repairs during Covid-19?

Repairs during Covid-19?

16:27 PM, 23rd March 2020, About 4 years ago 42

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Anyone know what is a landlords legal position if a tenant asks for a repair eg dripping tap, boiler problem etc during this pandemic?

I know that Local Authority repair teams for their stock social housing have been told they cannot go into residential properties.

If one can even find a tradesman is there a difference if the tenant and/or family are self isolating or not?

Either because they are in one of the vulnerable groups or have the virus?

Many thanks

Judith


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Comments

Simon Williams

9:47 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Necessity is the mother of invention I think. Ways and means must be found to muddle through. Sometimes that means leaving things, sometimes finding unusual ways to solve a problem.
Yesterday my tenants' oven door "fell off" (heaven knows what they were doing) and I managed to get the pest control man to sort it out! He's comfortable going into homes because he's got lots of protective equipment (normally used to deal with wasps etc).

David Lawrenson

9:58 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Michael Gove has just said that the likes of plumbers and other people going in for essential works are allowed in the clampdown.
If your tenants won't let anyone in because they are too frightened, then put it in writing that this is at their own risk.
So if they die from CO poisoning, you are covered. If there is a leak that is, say, causing damage to another flat, then I would say the tenant could be liable for the cost, if he will not let your people in to fix it.
That is my view.
StaySane and if you wish to be naughty and go for two bits of exercise instead of the one you are allowed each day, leave your tracking device (mobiles) at home, in case the authorities want to check up on you and your activities.
David Lawrenson
http://www.LettingFocus.com
Private Rented Sector Advice

Luke P

10:07 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

HSE are seeking clarity on such issues. I’m using it as a test…let’s see if tenants can sort their own problems rather than immediately turning to path of least resistance.

John MacAlevey

10:12 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

I`ve had a phrase in the back of my mind that I`d wished I could have used many times when dealing with some tenants.
`What would you do if this was your own house?`

Ararat

11:07 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 23/03/2020 - 17:50
There is an answer to this on the Gas Safe website, although you may not think it is very helpful. After all, if they can defer mortgages and rent for 3 months, then routine safety checks should have some lee-way. They say you can do them 2 months early and still count as 12 months, so in effect that is up to 14 months between checks.

Ray Davison

11:11 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Adrian Atkins at 24/03/2020 - 11:07
Yes, that has rule been in force for a year or two now but may help in planning your checks to suit availability and/or movement restrictions.

Luke P

11:14 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 24/03/2020 - 10:12
I’ve used it many times. Including with neighbours of rented property who also seem to think to turn to me with their problems or a shared problem such as a fence…they simply expect me, the ‘rich’ landlord to sort it because…well I’m a landlord!

Luke P

11:16 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Adrian Atkins at 24/03/2020 - 11:07
I’ll make sure I do those about to expire two months ago then, shall I Gas Safe…

Stephen Hare

11:53 AM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

The plumber I use also does a lot of work for the local county council and they have sent home all of the maintenance teams they have, with the exception of the plumbers as their work could be safety related. Gives an indication as to how the council are viewing things. Would suggest that you make reasonable efforts where safety is an issue but defer anything that can be deferred. As a previous contributor said, common sense should prevail.

David Lawrenson

13:20 PM, 24th March 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 24/03/2020 - 10:12
Yes, great comment. Made me chuckle.

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