The Property Sales People

It seems hard to believe that this COVID19 situation has been with us for just over 4 weeks. It actually feels like at least 2 months. If you can bear to watch the daily briefings from the government without reaching for a razor blade then you will be hearing that, just maybe, we are reaching the apex of the death rate curve and, just maybe,  there will be a relaxation of movement and a return to economic activity by most of us, subject to social distancing, masks etc. From a property market point of view, I've been decrying the gloom merchants who have been talking about 16% price falls. This is for reasons that beyond economics, people go their own way and predicting human sentiment to situations is not an exact science. I came across this article by a well-respected commentator called Roger Martin-Fagg who seems to see things my way - or I see things his way!  You have the time available so I recommend that if you want a spoonful of positivity then read this post: https:

Renting?  Helpful information here:  https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/renting-and-not-sure-what-to-do-sign-up-for-our-new-webinar/?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=sharing&utm_campaign=news

These are unusual, dare I say unprecedented times. People are losing jobs and being laid off or ‘furloughed’. The latter is an American word and the best definition I’ve found is: 1:  to grant a leave of absence or  furlough  to (someone) a soldier being  furloughed, a  furloughed  prisoner 2 :  to put (a worker) on furlough:   to lay off (a worker) for usually a brief or temporary period Apparently, the earliest use of the word as in case 2 was 1781 ! At least in the 2020 use of the word government are proposing in the UK to pay furloughed workers 80% of their basic pay. The employer needs to pay it then claim it back from HMRC. But not everyone is that fortunate and the self-employed have a more difficult route to follow although they are intended to be supported. If you are a tenant, then we recommend you visit the following webpages: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus  Scroll past the black background page to page 2 These are the relevant links. 

If you would like to see what your conveyancer is being advised by the Law Society on how to deal with transactions at the present time follow this link: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/advice/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-residential-conveyancing-transactions/

The following link will take you to that advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Please see the previous blogpost which has been updated following this evenings statement by the PM, Boris Johnson.

COVID19 / CORONA VIRUS PLEASE READ The office is closed to walk-in visitors in the interest of staff safety. We are OPEN in terms of telephone contact on 01353 665020 or via email sales@clarkhomes.co.uk lettings@clarkhomes.co.uk Direct staff emails are firstname@clarkhomes.co.uk Website: https://clarkhomes.co.uk Plus, all the major portals like Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket.Com etc If you need to collect keys, we have members of staff who can be in the office, but you will need to make contact by phone first. No accompanied viewings and no face-to-face valuations. We can discuss the automated online valuation available from our website Please bear with us as we try to navigate this unprecedented national emergency

We have been monitoring the developments surrounding the spread of the Covid-19 virus. To protect our clients, customers, contractors and team members it is important that we have in place a policy as to how we mitigate the risks surrounding the impact of the virus. Boris Johnson’s message this evening has generated an update. The following will be reviewed in line with government recommendations as announced. Rental   property visits and sales valuations  will be postponed from 24th March 2020. Sales & Rental V iewings  will be postponed from 24th March 2020 Maintenance requests  will continue to be dealt with as outlined in the Tenant Information Pack, unless tenant(s) or occupiers advise of health conditions. Where staff are required to self-isolate they will be given the tools to work from home, allowing us to be able to continue their pay. In the current circumstances where we have chosen to close the office, we will still be able to operate the business from home-bas

New electrical safety regulations were presented before Parliament last month. The move by the Government will strengthen electrical safety practices and bring them into line with those  already well established within gas safety regulations in private residential tenancies. The regulations, if implemented, will only affect private residential tenancies – first, new tenancies from July 1  this year, and those tenancies already in existence from April 1, 2021. The proposal will move to ensure all electrical wiring and fixed electrical installations are signed off and  reported by a qualified electrician. This report will be required to be shown at the outset of every new tenancy and renewed at least every five  years, if not earlier, dependent on any electrics or fixed electrical installations that are altered or changed by  the landlord.  If the report highlights any issues, the landlord will be required to remedy the issue within 28 days or sooner  dependent on

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