Finn's Newsletter: Winter 2021, Issue No.2

How to conduct property viewings safely in lockdown

 

Since the first lockdown last March, the housing market has managed to successfully adapt to the changes being made and evolve to offer homeowners safer ways to buy or sell.
 

From face coverings to dealing with the possibility of cancellations, viewings during the pandemic will present many new challenges, but we're here to help you navigate each and every step, meaning that we can ultimately safeguard the wellbeing and health of all involved parties.


View virtually, where possible

The safest way to view any property during the pandemic is to do so from the comfort of your own home.

 

Many agents have turned to the latest technology during these uncertain times, allowing their listings to be viewed at every angle, so it is worth exploring your options online to narrow down your search.

 

By using virtual video tours or FaceTime sessions, prospective buyers can see a 360-degree shot of every room before deciding whether they're interested in proceeding with an in-person viewing or not.

 

Be flexible where you can

In these testing times, there are many things that can throw a spanner in the works.

 

As a result of this, it’s worth preparing for any cancellations that could occur due to rising infection rates.

  

It’s also worth noting that if you have symptoms of COVID-19, you must postpone a viewing and self-isolate in accordance with the government guidelines.

Adhere to safety practices

So that we may continue meeting your property needs, it's essential that everyone takes responsibility in ensuring that the latest guidelines are followed to minimise risk and spread. Some of these include:

- Having no more than two households inside a property at one time

- Making sure that masks are worn at all times

- Avoiding contact with doors and surfaces, sterilising before and after viewings where unavoidable

- Keeping at a two-metre distance

- Washing hands before, during and after the viewing

If you’re looking to move and would like to know more about our current buying or selling processes, get in touch. 

 

 

 

House-buying behaviour continues to be shaped by working from home

 

With the number of vaccine jabs administered in the UK now over 10 million, we can start to imagine a future beyond the pandemic, but it's expected that the 'new norms' many of us have adopted will have lasting effects in our day-to-day lives. 

 

Working from home has gone from being an infrequent luxury to a very real reality – whether we've wanted it that way or not.

Jobs advertising remote working tripled since November 2019, going up from 26,600 to 80,700 listings in November 2020.*

With remote working now an expected part of life, the desire for a home office has skyrocketed, leading to interesting levels of activity on the market for larger properties.

 

COVID-19 has impacted the behaviour of homebuyers, as well as the priorities of employers and businesses, who now recognise that proximity to the office is no longer a prerequisite for their team members, allowing for greater flexibility on where people choose to live.

 

In a recent 'Home Moving Trends' survey, 35% of participants cited an office space as being more important since the emergence of the pandemic.**

 

The survey also showed that broadband was high up on homebuyers’ agendas, with 37% wanting enhanced Internet speed when searching for a new home.

If you're no longer restricted to a property based near your work premises, we'd like to help you.

Browse our latest properties or talk to our team about your home-buying criteria. 

 

 

 

*New Street Consulting Group

**Conducted by the Property Academy on a national level

 

Latest eviction ban “more balanced” than past examples

 

Just after we started 2021, Housing Secretary – Robert Jenrick – announced an extension on the ban preventing tenants from being evicted.

 

This meant that – apart from the most serious of cases – no evictions would be carried out until at least 21st February.

In the previous bans, the substantial rent arrears exemption only applied when there were nine months of arrears before 23rd March 2020.

 

Many landlords have been suffering severe hardship by rent arrear levels significantly below that figure, which prompted a change to the arrears threshold to six months, making it more balanced for landlords and tenants.

Bailiffs that are enforcing the few evictions permitted to be carried out are being told to take caution and proceed in accordance with the regulations – if they can do so safely.

There is also a question mark over how a bailiff should deal with a situation where a tenant is self-isolating.

 

The presumption from many bailiffs is that the eviction could not be carried out for their own safety.

Not all landlords and representatives welcomed the extension.

 

However, Housing Solicitor – George Cohen – seems to think more landlords will begin to accept the change, due to the regulations being “more balanced”.

 

With the six-month notice period also reaching its conclusion at the end of March, many within the sector are now wondering what measures will be introduced by the government for landlords and tenants.

 

If you have any concerns about your living situation or property investments, we urge you to speak with our team today for more information.

 

 

 

 

How to decorate your rented home without making permanent changes

 

When decorating a rented property, there are many things you must bear in mind when making any dramatic changes, including getting the landlord’s permission.

However, there are plenty of ways to add personality to the property without risking your deposit, including:

 

Layering up

Creating layers in a room is a great way to allow a home to feel lived in.

 

By simply adding soft furnishings like cushions, blankets, curtains and rugs, you could make your rental feel a lot more like home.

 

If you’re unsure where to start, find a major furnishing that catches your eye – such as a nice rug – and build from there using similar fabrics and colours.

 

Investing in indoor plants

Houseplants are a great way to brighten up a room.

 

These are often inexpensive and require minimal to no effort.

 

Even if you lack a green thumb, there are plenty of options such as using artificial plants that will require far less work to maintain!

 

Letting loose on lighting

If your rooms are lacking in natural light, opting for a well-positioned lamp can flood the area with some much needed brightness.

 

Light fixtures can be practical and stylish, with many energy-saving options available, such as LEDs to brighten your home and reduce the impact on your wallet and energy consumption.

 

With many types of lighting available, it’s important you spend some time comparing to find the right “glow” for your home.

 

Hanging artwork without the need for nails

Having a home filled with personal photos on the walls is a great way to set the right atmosphere in your rental.

 

By using damage-free picture hanging strips, which can be found in most DIY stores, you can avoid losing your deposit due to holes in the paintwork.

Making the most out of your space

Most of us wish we had more space in our house to fill with our personal belongings, so why not create it by investing in multifunctional furniture for your rooms?

 

Not only are these practical but many options are also stylish, meaning you don’t have to compromise on the aesthetics of your home.

 

From the garden to the bedroom, there are many ways to save space and open up a room to have more purpose, such as creating a home office environment.

For any advice on the services we offer for landlords and tenants, get in touch today.