RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19  – INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS

Last Updated: 26th March 2020

We understand that the coronavirus outbreak presents some challenges for us all.  Please be assured that we are here to support you over the coming period whilst the UK deals with the situation.

Office & Staff
In-line with current government advice, our office is now closed and our team members are safely working from home. Our software and technology platforms allow us to operate seamlessly from home and our usual contact telephone number and email addresses will remain in use.  Our current working hours have been revised to: Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm and 9 am-1 pm on Saturday.

Property Visits & Repairs
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, clients and the community, no viewings or routine inspections will be permitted to take place at any of our properties for the duration of the lockdown. This has initially been set at a period of 3 weeks but will be subject to ongoing review.  Our schedule of routine inspections will resume as soon as possible when movement restrictions have been relaxed.  We have advised tenants to use our repairs portal to request routine repairs (these will be carried out when it safe to do so) and have put in place procedures to deal with urgent repairs in terms of our contractors visiting properties. 

Tenants in Arrears
We have signposted tenants to sources of help and assistance in order to encourage them to apply ASAP for available benefits/financial support (e.g. universal credit), should they have concerns about paying their rent.

Advice from the Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has called on all landlords not to evict a tenant because they have suffered hardship due to coronavirus.    It has announced that it intends to amend the mandatory grounds for eviction under the Private Residential Tenancy from three months to six months.  The UK Government has now confirmed that mortgage payment holidays can be triggered by landlords who have a tenant in arrears.   The Scottish government has published advice and support for those in the private rented sector on their website.

We are closely following advice from both the Scottish and UK governments and will provide regular updates to landlords and tenants.

We want to take this time to thank you for your patience, support and understanding as we navigate our way through this challenging and unprecedented time.
 
We are here to help and support all our clients and we hope you, your friends and family remain safe and healthy for the duration of the outbreak.  

Premier Properties Perth

Tel: 01738 442255

lettings@premierpropertiesperth.co.uk