BUSINESS AS USUAL
A crisis such as many of us have not seen in our lifetimes is gripping the world.
Many of you will have listened to the Prime Minister’s daily broadcasts over the past few days ,urging the people of the UK to pull together and it has never been more important that we do so both on a personal level with our families and loved ones and in the wider business world. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology we at Hair and Son are able to continue provide uninterrupted service to our clients and tenants alike, there have had to be some changes in the way that we operate away from the norm for the protection of everybody.
Her Majesty’s Government are putting place measures to ‘prop up ‘businesses by way of grants, loans etc. To see them through and to ensure a vibrant economy when this crisis has passed – it may not feel that it will right now, but it will. We are posting an extract form the HMG website which details measures that were announced Wednesday last week to help businesses. At the time of writing this blog the local authorities don’t know how it will work but that will become clearer in the coming days. Friday’s announcement from the Chancellor announced further, and unprecedented support for businesses available via HMRC. The ‘safety net’ which is being put in place by Her Majesty’s Government must be a huge positive for businesses and the people that they employ, to see them through this crisis. It is worth taking a look at the HM Government website – there is a great deal of information out there for us all to see.
In the meanwhile, stay home if you can, stay safe and keep well all of you.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
A NEW ‘NORMAL’
As the whole company looks to ways of moving through the COVID-19 crisis, the leasehold and block management team are no different, with the focus on keeping service levels consistent whilst taking heed of advice from central government.
As such, this week, we have moved to a system of working largely remotely, with our main offices closed to the public. Remote working arrangements mean that clients and leaseholders can still reach us through the usual channels, phone, email, mobile phones etc. The 1 area of our operations which has changed is that we are postponing all estate inspections and will be unable to attend resident meetings and AGM’s which we might normally attend.
We are grateful to our network of contractors who are, as this blog is written, continuing to support us in providing regular cleaning, repairs and maintenance to all of our blocks. Please be aware that if there are contractors due to attend, they will likely be taking their own precautions in completing their work. For cleaning contracts, we will be asking our contractors to pay extra attention to disinfecting hard surfaces, handrails, entry keypads etc. but would like to remind those living and visiting blocks which we manage of public health England’s advice around hand sanitisation and hand-washing.
We will continue to do everything we can to support clients, leaseholders and occupiers in the building we manage through these uncertain times.
A message to our customers
Hair & Son has taken precautions to protect our customers and our staff and continue to provide the best service we can. Some measures we are taking to reduce the spread of this virus are detailed below:
• Where possible some of our colleagues will be working from home. Of course, not everyone can work remotely, and we will continue to have staff in our offices between 9AM to 6PM as normal
• Individual telephone extensions may be diverted to personal mobiles (please note, where our team are using their personal mobiles you might not recognise the number when they call you)
• Computers will, where needed, be configured for remote working
• Our staff will be cancelling all non-urgent meetings and appointments whilst the spread of the virus moves through its peak stage.
• We are encouraging customers and clients to not visit our offices but to use other forms of communications
With the situation changing rapidly in the UK and worldwide, we are doing everything we can to do business as normal. The whole team at Hair & Son wish you well and hope you too are doing everything you can to stay healthy.
We hope that you will be understanding of this approach and the limitations that may come into play over the next few days and weeks. If you have any questions we can currently be contacted via all our usual channels.
Come and join us!
Come and join us!
We have sold 86% of all the properties taken on at the Thorpe Bay office so far this year, all at either the asking price or very close to. We are proud to say that our market share is one of the best in the area and expanding rapidly.
Benefit from a free virtual tour when you choose Hair & Son, there are no catches just have a look at our website or Rightmove and click on tour to see what we can offer.
Come and visit us at our Broadway office or telephone 01702 582255 for more information.
2020 – Property Market Update
After three long years the UK has finally parted ways with the European Union and no matter which way you voted, it is becoming very clear that an end to uncertainty seems to have renewed confidence in both the economy as a whole and in particular the property market.
Rightmove has reported that January saw a massive 152 million visits to their website. A staggering 7% increase on the same period of the previous year. It isn’t just passive viewers either. The number of new sales agreed for January was up by 12% on the previous year and the level of buyers registering was up by an impressive 18%.
This upturn in activity and renewed confidence has certainly passed through to the residential sales market in Leigh-on-Sea. As we write this, the Leigh-on-Sea office is currently ranked number one on Rightmove for new sales agreed and the demand from buyers looking to move here has never been stronger.
To capitalise on a newly booming market we have some unique selling tools that will really help our buyers achieve the highest prices possible including unique professionally shot videos, targeted social media campaigns and much more. If you are considering selling your home and beginning the next chapter in your life, why not get in touch for some free, no obligation advice.
Avoiding disputes with neighbours
Sometimes problems with the neighbours go beyond a bit of noise or mess, and the people around you can begin to make your life miserable.
This can often start because of a previous disagreement, even over something relatively trivial which wasn’t resolved and has been allowed to fester and blow up out of all proportion. Don’t let yourself be a victim and unhappy in your own home.
Problem neighbours may even be a contributory factor for some people deciding to move. In this case, as the seller, you’d have to tick the ‘Yes’ box in the buyers’ solicitor’s property form regarding current or likely disputes. Bear in mind that action can be taken by buyers for years after the sale of your property has gone through if something comes out of the woodwork.
According to ProblemNeighbours.co.uk the most common issue that causes tension between neighbours in a block of flats seems to be noise. But you may also find nagging issues about improper or unfair use of common areas for storage, car parking, pets etc. Nipping such disputes in the bud surely has to be the appropriate option – but talking calmly can be easier said than done when emotions may be running high!
However, it’s often only by doing this that you can both start to see things from the other person’s perspective, which can help you come to a mutually acceptable agreement, even if a compromise must be made on one or both sides. It may be they just don’t realise how loud their TV is, or how they always slam doors, or that their visitors have an annoying habit of parking so they make access to your space difficult.
First get your facts right: make sure you know what the rules for the building are and, where applicable, what the lease covenants say about the behaviour in question.
Of course, calm and rational talk is just not possible with some people and you may need to prepare yourself for an aggressive and over-defensive response. The first rule of thumb in the face of a difficult person is to keep your calm.
The less reactive you are to provocation, the more you can use your better judgment to handle the challenge. When you feel upset with or challenged by someone, before you say or do something you might later regret, take a deep breath and count slowly to ten.
In many instances, by the time you reach ten, you would have regained composure and worked out a better response to the issue. If you’re still upset after counting to ten, take time out if possible, and revisit the issue at another time. Use phrases such as “I’ll get back to you…” or “Let me think about it…” to buy yourself time.
Talking didn’t work?
If trying to have a sensible, grown-up conversation doesn’t work, the next stage should be to inform the landlord or managing agents of the property. However, if they cannot or will not act, the situation may continue to brew and cause untold unpleasantness, so you may want to take positive action sooner rather than later.
Before you resort to what can be an expensive legal processes, do try a Mediation Service . Some leaseholders have found useful help from the Leasehold Advisory Service’s lawyers who offers free information, initial advice and guidance.
Once you know where you stand legally, you might be able to make a stronger argument against a recalcitrant neighbour and they may see sense. Of course, it may be that you find that you are the one at fault…
The Government offers sound advice on the various stages of managing a dispute, which are outlined HERE.
The above information and advice is provided via our Insurance brokers Deacon, for more information check out their website at https://deacon.co.uk