COVID-19 – Government Guidance: Repairs & Maintenance Should Continue

This is an unusual time for all of us. Since the Government’s call for people to stay at home and self-isolate in early March, many businesses activities have come to a halt.

There have been a number of reports debating whether repairs and maintenance works should carry on with them not explicitly named as an ‘essential service’, and some expressed that all works should be delayed.

Recent government guidance has clearly defined the guidelines around this.

“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.

It will be important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a 2 metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety”.

Update on Repairs and Maintenance

Further MHCLG guidance issued on the subject of property access for repairs & maintenance during the ongoing pandemic reconfirms the fact that the outbreak is not a valid reason for landlords and thus their agents to neglect repair requests from occupiers and this is detailed in Section 3.8 of the Governments Guidance and we have detailed the keys points below:

Landlords

3.8 What does the current situation mean for repairs to my property?

• Landlords’ repair obligations have not changed. Tenants have a right to a decent, warm and safe place to live – and it is in the best interests of both tenants and landlords to ensure that properties are kept in good repair and free from hazards.
• Good management requires regular review and maintenance of a property, but we understand that planned inspections may be more difficult at this time. However, that is no reason to allow dangerous conditions to persist.
• We are encouraging tenants to inform landlords early and engage constructively in the event that they encounter any issues with the condition of the property. Technological solutions such as smartphones can be used to reduce the need for in-person inspections of property issues.
• Where reasonable and safe for you, and in line with other Government guidance, you should make every effort to review and address issues brought to your attention by your tenants and keep records of your efforts.
• However, in these unprecedented times we encourage tenants and landlords to take a pragmatic, common-sense approach to non-urgent issues which are affected by COVID-19 related restrictions.
• Inspectors or maintenance workers can still visit blocks of flats and multi-occupied properties for essential or urgent work such as inspecting and testing fire alarm and emergency lighting systems.
• Urgent health and safety issues are those which will affect your tenant’s ability to live safely and maintain their mental and physical health in the property. This could include (but is not limited to):− If there is a problem with the fabric of the building, for example the roof is leaking − If your boiler is broken, leaving your tenant without heating or hot water

• If there is a plumbing issue, meaning your tenant does not have washing or toilet facilities 
• If the white goods such as fridge or washing machine have broken, meaning the tenant is unable to wash clothes or store food safely 
• If there is a security-critical problem, such as a broken window or external door 
• If equipment a disabled person relies on requires installation or repair

How does this affect Leasehold Properties?

ARLA Propertymark released a statement reinforcing the new Government guidelines and reiterating that agents and landlords are allowed to carry out repairs and maintenance as normal course of business.

Please contact us if you need clarity on any of the above or more information and we will provide.

Team David Astburys