Eddie Hooker, CEO of Hamilton Fraser, said: “Since the global crisis affects nearly every industry, the Government advice is largely generic. Although the message is very clear, stay home, stay safe, it impacts all our lives in different ways depending on our personal circumstances. Many landlords are trying to get to grips with how to survive financially themselves, whilst maintaining their tenancy, remaining compliant and supporting their tenants.”
Hamilton Fraser says daily announcements last week by the Government, particularly those on evictions as well as advice on home moving and inspections has led to a surge of enquiries from concerned landlords.
Suzy Hershman, Head of Dispute Resolution at mydeposits, comments: “Examples we’ve had include calls from landlords who have tenants desperate to move in which, if the property is empty, is permitted. However, landlords are then concerned they won’t be able to carry out check-in inspections. We also have student landlords who have tenants wanting their deposits back because the universities are closed so they have gone home. We are doing our best to answer every question sent to us and will continue to do so.”
Landlord Action, which is also part of Hamilton Fraser, has over 450 live eviction cases currently progressing through the various courts across England and Wales, which are now on hold.
Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action, says: “Some landlords are in a very difficult situation because their tenants were in arrears before the news of coronavirus even broke. They now cannot evict them for months and are even less likely to receive any rent."
Providing landlords with a variety of services across the private rented sector, Hamilton Fraser’s solutions have collaborated to offer a comprehensive guide on what landlords should do to help themselves and their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic.
Key sections include what to do and what not to do if your tenant is high risk or has symptoms, information on property visits, move in and move out processes, contacting and supporting tenants, coping with arrears and evictions.
See the guide here.
