x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.
Graham Awards

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Covid - Minister tells landlords how to tackle ‘Winter Plan’

Housing minister Chris Pincher has written an open letter to all landlords in England, telling them how to enact the government’s so-called Winter Plan to tackle rising cases of Covid-19.

The emphasis is on landlords making sure that all rental properties can be properly ventilated to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and particularly the new Omicron strain in enclosed spaces.

There are five key messages in Pincher’s letter:

Advertisement

1. Ensure that all habitable rooms have functioning openable windows (including providing replacement keys where these have been misplaced/lost) – ideally with opening areas of at least 1/20th of the floor area;

2. Ensure that all bathrooms/kitchens have either functioning openable windows and/or (preferably both) appropriate functioning extract ventilation;

3. Consider installing positive pressure or constant run ventilation systems to ensure there is adequate background ventilation and to reduce the likelihood of condensation, and ensure that such systems are operating effectively, with filters etc replaced at appropriate intervals;

4. Ensure that tenants have clear instructions and understand how to operate ventilation and heating systems, and are advised on the best ways to achieve a healthy and economic balance of heating, ventilation and moisture production within the home;

5. Ensure that problems with damp are fully investigated and addressed promptly. 

 

 

Pincher continues: “We also request that you prioritise as far as possible any planned or known works that might improve ventilation, such as repairing broken safety catches on windows for those concerned about security or a fall hazard. This guidance does not cover single-person households, though we would advise that single households still follow guidance if they have visitors in their home.”

Pincher then gives additional ‘key messages’ which landlords can pass on to tenants about the importance of ventilation, which can be downloaded along with the letter in full here.

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

  • George Dawes

    I do enjoy being pontificated to by a totally out of touch politician

  • icon

    Christopher dearest wouldn’t it be better to post this advice for Tenants. We can’t ensure ventilation while been excluded from the Property, would you like us to go in opening windows or continue as now look at the condensing running down the windows from outside causing sealed unite to fail. Say opening window 1/20th of floor that would be good, so supposing double room 150ft sq / 7.5ft sq opening. They are not go to open 7.5ft sq, although it
    would be great if they opened
    it an inch, looks more like a Planning term to me. I agree about ventilation it best cure for condensation / mould mildew / omicron etc. I can’t see what good Insulation is going to do with 7.5 sq ft open window. What’s this all the time instructing LL’s to teach the Tenants, they are adults & most if not all gave longer in further education than I got at primary, we reared our families and not running a kiddie’s nursery.

icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up