Everything landlords and tenants should know in regards to Covid-19 repairs, maintenance, health and safety
If there is one thing of significant importance in regards to rented properties during the ongoing pandemic, it is that landlords, tenants and local authorities should continue to work together, to maintain these properties safe. This is in the very best interest of both landlords and tenants. Ensuring that the properties are free of hazards and are a safe environment is priority number one. Tenants need to stay on top of the issue and alert their landlord early on, in case of a problem. This will allow the landlord to address the task as soon as possible and take adequate action. In the following guide, we will have a look at a few important factors considering all of that.
Ventilation
Allowing fresh air in is very important for any meetings conducted indoors. According to health and safety experts, it is best if landlords and tenants meet outside. For communal areas, opening windows and doors is one of the simplest ways to improve ventilation. It allows stale air to circulate outside the building and thus reduce the chance of Covid-19 virus particles remaining in the building. In case windows have openings at both the bottom and the top, like sash windows, keeping the top open ensures the incoming fresh air warms up a bit. If the weather allows it, both openings should be used. It is a good idea to open windows/doors on opposite sides of a room, to ensure the best circulation. If possible, tenants should maintain openings throughout the day to ensure a constant flow of fresh air is entering the home.
Carrying out repair and maintenance work
Work undertaken should always follow the safety guidance during Covid-19. If local authorities, landlords and contractors need to access a property, to carry out certain work there, they should do so in a safe manner. The possible works include:
- Safety inspections are done on a routine basis, which also includes electricity and gas safety checks.
- Various essential and non-essential repairs
- Unplanned or planned maintenance inside and outside of the home
There are no guidelines for homes with potential or confirmed coronavirus infection. The same guidelines apply to the occupants of shared properties. If one of the occupants have symptoms of the virus, all of them should behave as a single household. No work should take place in households isolated due to symptoms of the virus unless there is a very clear risk for the safety of the same household or public.
If there is a case of a tenant refusing access to the property, landlords have the tools and powers that will allow them to gain access. This includes obtaining an injunction from the court, or a warrant.
Maintenance work and repairs with clinically vulnerable people
As per expert clinical advice and the rollout of the vaccine programme, all individuals previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to shield again. Such individuals should consider some advice from their healthcare professional on what precautions are right for them.
Communal lounges in retirement/shelter schemes
Scheme managers and landlords should always perform a risk assessment, inclusive of the risk of Covid-19 and do the necessary to minimise it. Everyone who is self-isolating, or symptomatic of Covid-19 or has a positive test should steer clear of communal areas when others are there. These areas should be properly sanitised at all times, to ensure no cross-contamination occurs.
