Additional support to save jobs and businesses
The Chancellor has announced further measures to help business and employers through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. This includes: A new coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help any employer in the country to cover most of the wages of employees who aren’t working but are being kept on payroll. This will be a grant […]
Budget 2020 – What does it mean for agents?
While the Budget held little for the Private Rented Sector, there were a series of announcements on the wider housing sector, and a number of measures to support individuals and businesses affected by Coronavirus. Housing A new Affordable Homes Programme of £12bn A £1bn Building Safety Fund to remove unsafe cladding £400m for new homes […]
Coronavirus Act 2020 – Government guidance for landlords, tenants & local authorities
Now the Coronavirus Act 2020 is in force, new Government guidance has been published for landlords, tenants and local authorities. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Landlords and Tenants – Read the full guidance here COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the enforcement of standards in rented properties – Read the full Local Authority guidance here The guidance is very […]
Coronavirus advice and support
In these unprecedented times, safeagent wants to support our firms as much as possible. While no one knows what will happen over the coming weeks and months, it’s important to protect your staff, tenants and landlords by ensuring you have plans in place to deal with business interruption. Contingency planning If you have to close your office […]
COVID-19: Updates on business rates exemption and house moves
As the Coronavirus outbreak continues, government have today made two key announcements; Business rates exemptions for estate and lettings agencies; and important advice on house moves. Business rates Estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls that have closed as a result of Covid-19 measures to restrict the spread of the virus will be now be […]
Delay new property licensing schemes
safeagent is calling for new property licensing schemes in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) to be placed on hold to free up resources. In the wake of the Coronavirus, safeagent says licensing schemes not already in force should be delayed now and reviewed again in six months’ time. This approach is two-fold; to ensure focus on […]
Essential maintenance and repairs – COVID-19 update
Government has now issued guidance regarding maintenance and repairs being carried out in rental properties during the current emergency: 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. Again, it will be important to ensure that Public […]
Government announces measures to protect renters & landlords affected by Coronavirus
The government has announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by Coronavirus. Emergency legislation to suspend new evictions from social or private rented accommodation while this national emergency is taking place No new possession proceedings through applications to the court to start during the crisis Landlords will also be protected […]
Government support for landlords and renters during the COVID-19 outbreak
The government has brought forward its package of measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus (COVID-19): From 26 March 2020 landlords will have to give all renters 3 months’ notice if they intend to seek possession (i.e. serve notice that they want to end the tenancy) – this means the landlord can’t apply to start […]
safeagent works with Haringey Trading Standards to stop rogue agents
safeagent has worked with Haringey Council Trading Standards team supporting them in a case which resulted in a letting agent being fined over £12,000. Haringey based Matthew Estates were ordered to pay £12,630 by Magistrates after being found guilty of five offences relating to false claims in respect of membership of professional trade associations. During […]