This was what the Minister for Housing said in a letter sent to social housing residents this week. The letter was sent to “update residents on the steps the Government is taking to reopen society” and support residents and their families to “move on with their lives”. It contains links to government guidance on a wide range of initiatives connected with Covid-19 (this e-briefing comments only those aspects of the letter that are relevant to repairs).
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many social landlords have had to limit repairs to emergency repairs and compliance work, such as gas servicing and fire equipment testing. Some social landlords have also been able to undertake external maintenance.
A letter sent directly to their residents by the Government saying that social landlords will now be carrying out routine repairs may, therefore, come as a surprise. Although the letter recognises that the backlog of repairs that built up during lockdown may cause landlords to be slower than usual in responding to new, non-essential repairs, the encouragement to report all repairs means that social landlords should now prepare for an influx of routine repairs requests.
However, while the Government’s letter indicates a move to recommence carrying out non-urgent repairs, this is still far from “business as usual”. The letter confirms that only repairs to remedy a “direct risk” should be carried out where households are self-isolating or containing an individual who is shielding. Repairs will invariably take longer to complete due to tradespersons having to comply with social distancing and hygiene guidance. This will increase repairs costs for landlords and/or their contractors.
Delays in repairs being completed will inevitably result in more complaints and referrals to solicitors looking to bring claims against landlords for tenant compensation. The increased expectations created by the letter are unlikely to be helpful in managing this process.
For advice on repairing obligations, please contact Baljit Basra.
For advice on health and safety issues, please contact Tim Coolican.
For advice on repairs and maintenance contracts, please contact Andrew Millross.
Catch up with all the latest charity updates in this week’s news round-up.
The Government has announced its intention to lift the shielding requirement for extremely vulnerable people. Katherine Sinclair and Libby Hubbard discuss...
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 has now received Royal Assent. It applies to most companies as well as Limited Liability Partnerships.
The latest development in the long history of sodium valproate was the publication of The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review today
Failure to provide minimum pension contribution protection following a TUPE transfer can end up costing a lot more than if provision had been made.
More than 700 people were consulted about their experiences of pelvic mesh, Primodos and an epilepsy drug called Sodium Valproate.
Making an application to the Court of Protection to make or change a Will for someone who is not able to do this themselves due to lacking mental capacity.
The online divorce system is a fantastic facility available to both legal professionals and litigants in person.
In a comprehensive judgement, the High Court rejected a challenge by Stagecoach to the procurement of new franchises for the South Eastern, East Midlands and West Coast rail lines.
With lockdown restrictions further lifting on 4 July, charities have a lot to think about.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.