CORONAVIRUS – WHAT’S CHANGED?
As we go to press, the Government has introduced a second lockdown, which is due to last until Wednesday 2nd December. To help protect the NHS and save lives, we shall be following their advice to work from home but we do not anticipate any interruption to our service.
HOW SHOULD I CONTACT MY PROPERTY MANAGER?
Telephone calls to our Property Managers will be diverted where possible. Emails will be answered by your usual contact or another qualified member of the team. For general enquiries, please continue to email [email protected] or call 01273 321123 to leave a message, which will be forwarded to the relevant person.
WILL PROPERTY INSPECTIONS GO AHEAD?
Yes, inspections of common areas and grounds will go ahead as normal but, unless an emergency arises, Property Managers will not enter individual flats. They will wear appropriate PPE for any visit.
CAN TRADESPEOPLE ENTER MY HOME?
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed that tradespeople can enter property to carry out necessary works. The nature and urgency of each job will be taken into consideration, as will the shielding requirements of any vulnerable tenants.
WILL HEALTH & SAFETY INSPECTIONS BE CANCELLED?
No, it’s vital that safety inspections such as fire alarms, fire doors, gas and electricity, and their associated works go ahead as planned. Failure to do so could put lives at risk.
CAN YOU STOP PEOPLE FROM CONGREGATING IN COMMON AREAS AND GROUNDS?
Unfortunately, in our role as Managing Agents, we don’t have the power to enforce social distancing.
CAN I LET MY FLAT DURING LOCKDOWN?
Yes, tenants can move home and removal firms can operate during lockdown. Our Lettings partner, AR Lets, encourages virtual viewings but also offers physical viewings with protective measures. The team are able to offer Graves Son & Pilcher leaseholders a special discount. Call 01273 760007 or email [email protected] to discuss your letting requirements.
CARING FOR YOUR PROPERTY OVER THE WINTER
This year, more than ever, many households will feel the financial strain that the festive season brings. Below we’ve listed a few ideas on how to keep the cost of repairs low and spirits high:
- As the temperature drops, if your property will be unoccupied, set your central heating system to turn on automatically at around 5 degrees. If pipes containing water are left to freeze, the water will expand and could cause the pipes to crack or burst. When the ice thaws, water could then leak from the damaged pipes and cause substantial damage.
- If you’re planning on going away once restrictions ease, consider turning your water supply off at the stopcock and draining down the system so that no water is left in the pipes to freeze.
- With more people staying inside due to the cold weather and the current risk of infection, showing consideration for your neighbours is crucial, especially when living in a block of flats. Cosy nights in aren’t quite as relaxing when all you can hear is someone learning to play the trumpet, so think about how the use of your own home could impact others enjoying theirs.
- If you don’t have a tumble dryer, resist the temptation to turn up the heating and hang clothes inside unless there’s sufficient ventilation. Condensation can build up very quickly, damaging internal paintwork, woodwork and plaster, and can quickly develop into stubborn mould.
- Be vigilant in and around your property. Report any blocked drains, gutters or dislodged tiles that may have occurred as a result of wet and windy weather. Prompt action can prevent costly repairs due to water ingress.
EXTERNAL WALL SYSTEM SURVEYS EXPLAINED
External Wall System (EWS) surveys have been the subject of numerous media reports, as well as enquiries made by leaseholders concerned about selling their flat.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and lenders, in co-operation with government officials, jointly created the EWS system in December 2019 as a way to assess the external wall safety of buildings over 18 metres. By proving that external walls were not made up of combustible materials in terms of cladding, fire break systems or insulation, the idea was to give mortgage lenders, valuers, residents, buyers and sellers much-needed confidence and peace of mind.
Although initially, the EWS1 form was recommended for residential blocks of 18 metres or taller, it appears that some lenders are now requesting them for buildings under 18 metres.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW…
- The survey is not mandatory. Different lenders have different rules on where they will request one to be carried out.
- Only the building owner can instruct an EWS survey; the buyer or seller cannot initiate the process.
- The survey must be arranged via the Freeholder’s or RTM Company’s Managing Agent.
- A competent and appropriately qualified party is required to complete the form, usually a fire engineer, specialist or fire expert. They will advise on whether any remedial works are required.
- EWS1 forms are valid for 5 years.
- You are not required to obtain an EWS1 form for each flat; the form is valid for the building as a whole.
- Our Property Managers are well versed in this topic and happy to answer any further questions you may have.
ADDING TO OUR MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
We’re pleased to announce that we have recently taken over the management of a gated estate of 154 residential units in Haywards Heath, comprising 6 blocks of flats and separate mews houses in attractive grounds. Our experienced Property Managers are working closely with the Freehold Company to ensure that the estate is proactively managed and proper provision is made for future planned maintenance.
Our highly qualified team assists clients across Sussex and south Surrey, so if you have any questions regarding the potential management of other properties in the region, please do get in touch.
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN CRISIS
Graves Son & Pilcher are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of Wooden Spoon Sussex during the pandemic.
Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of rugby. They fund life-changing projects across the UK, supporting children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage. Since being founded in 1983, they’ve distributed more than £26 million to over 1,000 projects, including respite and medical treatment centres, sensory rooms, specialist playgrounds and community-based programmes.
A reduction in funding caused by COVID-19 has meant that children’s charities in our local area have struggled to run essential services. Over the past 6 months, Wooden Spoon has worked hard to provide for community food banks and to offer mental health support to young people. Visit woodenspoon.org.uk to find out more or to make a donation.
Christmas opening hours
Our offices will close for Christmas at 1pm on Wednesday 23rd December and will reopen at 9am on Monday 4th January. On Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st December, there will be a limited number of staff dealing with incoming calls and emails. If you are unable to contact us, emergency contractors will provide a service throughout the holiday period and their details will be posted on our website. As contractor rates may be higher than normal over Christmas and New Year, please only contact them in the event of a genuine emergency.
Our website and social media pages came into their own during lockdown, keeping everyone abreast of the latest industry guidance and news on our services.
If you’re on social, please do follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
With the Coronavirus situation constantly changing, we’ll update our website with any new information that affects our landlords and leaseholders.
If the Government’s predictions are correct, we have a tough winter ahead. We’ll do our utmost to be as responsive and considerate at managing your building as we can. Let’s all follow the guidance, be kind to each other and stay well.
