To All Clients
Here at Whitegates Estate Agents Huddersfield we see ourselves as very much part of the local community and we would like to inform you of planned changes to our normal working practices to play our part in delaying the spread of the virus Covid – 19 (a “Coronavirus”).
LANDLORD ACCOUNTS -. We have measures in place to enable home-working and we can give an assurance that a prompt services will continue if or when we have to temporarily close the office.
The pressure group “Generation Rent” has estimated that 2/3rds of all private sector tenants have no savings and that statutory and four weeks’ statutory sick pay is just £377. Tenants who are unable to work – whether they have to self-isolate or get laid off – will struggle to pay rent. Generation Rent has also called for emergency legislation to freeze Section 21 and Section 8 evictions and an immediate ban on rent increases for the next 12 months.
We offer rent guarantee service options, and these would eliminate landlord exposure to the risk of rental default. Should you wish to discuss those further, please call the office.
PROPERTY INSPECTIONS – property inspections for managed properties will be postponed to minimise the risk that the virus is spread inadvertently by our staff. Please be assured this will be a temporary measure implemented only for the minimum necessary period.
MAINTENANCE CONTRACTORS – we have reminded our contractors of their obligation to self-isolate in the event of anyone on their works team exhibiting symptoms. It seems possible that the availability of contractors may reduce. If contractor supply in the area is badly affected, we will concentrate on emergency maintenance and delay non-emergency works.
VIEWINGS – Should further government measures require it all property viewings will be conducted via video. We have videos of multiple properties already on file and will access properties as necessary to take new videos. Where a tenant is self-isolating in a property it may become necessary to avoid visiting the property for a period, to avoid putting staff or new applicants at risk.
STAFF HOME WORKING – We have tested home working arrangements for staff ahead of them being necessary. Virtual Private Networks have been installed on staff PC’s and home working kits have been acquired to enable work PCs (which are mini PC’s) to be set-up at staff homes. We are also extending our internet telephone system to staff mobile phones to enable them to make free work internet calls as if their mobile were their desk extension.
Yours Sincerely,
Chan Khangura BA (Hons) DipRLM MARLA
Managing Director
Whitegates Estate Agents Huddersfield
