UK Landlord Forum / Life

Can I ask how people are managing viewings now? I know I could ask them to wear a mask and not touch anything and keep all doors open, but is it the best way? Or is there another way?  We are now in tier 4 from tomorrow so not even sure we can have physical viewings....

I would also like to find a way to reduce viewings only for those that are truly interested, not the "tourist tenant" who then turns round and say they can't afford it anyway. 

How do I best go about limiting viewings and still get that tenant? Seems really hard.

I currently have a void,and the agent has done a video,including the car parking,garden etc.I would imagine this deters the time-wasters and nosy neighbours to some extent. Tier 4 is a bummer,not sure if people can change residence for now?

In the first Lockdown... now I look back I think I broke the rules... but I did viewings because I felt I was forced to through a Tenant leaving just as it all kicked-off. This put me at a disadvantage because I couldn't do a check-out with him, what happened was that he just dropped the keys through the letterbox and I waited three days, then went in to assess. But for advertising (which had no restrictions at the time) and viewings I wore a mask myself and ensured I stayed two metres away from people, thereby letting them know that they didn't need to wear a mask if they chose not to. Prior to each viewing I wiped down all door handles as best I could and advised that. I'm unsure of the rules... but what I can say is that a) I had no shortage of enquiries (over twenty, which was a record for that property) nor offers... and the Tenants moved in, were happy to move in, have paid every month and have been in there long enough to go SPT. I never had any prospective Tenant question whether it was a good idea to be doing viewings... they all seemed to be more interested in getting a new place to live (maybe I just got lucky).

Lockdown was more strict than Tier 4. However, as things have matured over the months I think the regulations have caught up too... people are more aware of what you can and cannot do. I would not like to advise you just "take sensible precautions" because that means different things to different people and my own excuse is that we were all new to it. The hard question is whether I would attempt viewings again if I needed to right now... I'm in Tier 3, so maybe I would... and maybe I'd be guilty of going against the rules... but it's money that I consider I need to have coming in. I genuinely can't mothball the properties as folk move out. If you are doing the viewings yourself then at least you have control over the situation. If you do a Google, like I just did, it will become clear that the rental market is open for business, even in new English Tier 4 areas.

This is not advice.

Please see...

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says: "You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.

"Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.

"Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing and wearing a face covering."

And a tweet from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick adds: "Housing market update: the sales and rental markets remain open in all tiers. All associated activities can continue as before."

But he continues: "Please follow the Covid-secure guidance. And use your judgment as to whether it's necessary right now."

However, with this bunch of incompetent clowns in charge... I'd prefer to plough my own furrow. I wouldn't take their advice about, literally, anything.