Dear all,

Hope that you are well, following on from our email about boiler pressure , our managing director,  Colin Macmillan, felt that sending information about how to avoid condensation would be appropriate at this time, as well as a reminder of the bank details and as Christine is leaving Glasgow property letting, our communication procedure.

Bank details and financial assistance.

Please ensure these come from one account.  If you need guidance on how to manage that in a joint tenancy, please contact me and I can offer advice.  The past 18 months have been the strangest we have experienced and the Scottish Government are aware that it has left both landlords and tenants in financial hardship.

You can get free advice from:

New Covid grant fund for tenants
The Scottish Government has introduced a £10m grant fund to support tenants who are struggling as a direct result of the pandemic. The grant is being administered by local authorities and landlords, letting agents or tenants can enquire about eligibility by contacting their local authority housing options or homelessness departments. Where local authorities agree to a grant payment this will be paid direct to the landlord or letting agent. The grant funding will be available until the end of March 2022.

Tenant hardship loan fund

People affected by coronavirus who are concerned about paying their rent can claim Universal Credit (UC) from the Department for Work and Pensions which includes support for housing costs, if eligible. The UK Government has introduced some temporary changes to make this easier. The following website provides further information on applying for UC: www.gov.uk/universal-credit
 
If you are getting Housing Benefit or UC, but still can’t afford the housing costs, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). Further information on DHPs and how to apply is available at: www.mygov.scot/discretionary-housing-payment
 
You may also be able to get support through the Scottish Welfare Fund. Further information on how to apply is available on: www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund/crisis-grants

Condensation

Condensation is the easiest damp problem to fix. It can often be solved cheaply and quickly, without the need for professional help.  If you’ve got condensation in your home, you’ll need to work through the following steps: Flick through our gallery and read on below to find out how to get rid of issues with condensation, whether you do it yourself or call in someone to help.

Seven Tips To Reduce Condensation Problems:

  1. Try to keep the inside temperature reasonably constant.
  2. Avoid drying clothes indoors.
  3. Do not dry clothes over any radiators.
  4. Ensure tumble driers are properly vented or the condensate is regularly emptied.
  5. Keep furniture away from walls.
  6. Do not turn off or disable extractor fans.
  7. Ensure extractor fans are well maintained and offer adequate airflow.

Many people will choose to open a window to remove condensation within the home, the problem with this is that the weather outdoors tends to have more moisture and a higher humidity than indoors which will cause more condensation problems once you close the window.

Sudden rises and drops in air temperature can exacerbate a condensation problem, as water evaporates and condenses each time your central heating switches on and off.  You may find that having your heating on a constant low heat is better for damp (and for your air temperature) than having it frequently swing between hot and cold.

Having humidity levels of 50% or higher in your home can damage your property and can make allergies and asthma problems worse. Condensation occurs when there is excess moisture in the air and nowhere for this moisture to naturally escape. Condensation can often be found on windows, however, too much condensation on windows too often will lead to damage on both internal and external walls.  

When excess moisture in the air comes into contact with cold surfaces it creates water droplets, the most prominent places you notice this is on your windows and walls. Kitchens and bathrooms attract the most excess moisture because by nature they are the most moist rooms, due to cooking and bathing these rooms often surpass the dew point meaning windows and walls can often become saturated. 

To prevent condensation in the home you need a continuous source of fresh air. Good ventilation of kitchens when washing or drying clothes or cooking is essential along with a source of ventilation in your bathroom to remove moisture from taking a shower or bath.

The vent is not designed to combat condensation alone but will help circulate air when used with other vents or systems. In some buildings bathrooms or toilets do not have windows. However ventilation will be provided usually by mechanical means. It is important that all ventilation systems are used properly.

Unfortunately, due to the weather the extent of the condensation problem can be so bad that prevention on its own will not solve the problem and you will need to make arrangements to control the condensation in your home.  If you don’t control the condensation in your home you will end up with damp which is very damaging to you and your families health. 

Communication procedure

admin@glasgowpropertyletting.com is the main email address to use as all members of staff have access to it.  We ask you to report any maintenance issues or concerns using https://glasgowpropertyletting.fixflo.com/Auth/HomeIssueCreate

This is so the information can be sent to the landlord, the relevant repair person or factor as well as you receiving a copy.

The maintenance issue appears on our software and allows repeating issues to be identified and can show a clearer path for maintenance.

Bin day

As we all know the frustration of the bins being emptied has been constant!  Apparently the industrial action has come to an end.  I have emailed Glasgow City Council about the situation for the area I live in, unfortunately as a letting agent, we do not have control over the council.  I would suggest that if your refuse area is quite full, to drop a message to the council and see when you are due for the pick up.

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CollectionDays

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15893

take care

Michelle ODonnell

Branch Manager

17 Elmbank Street

Glasgow

G2 4PB

0141 221 3990

 

Registration number LARN1903009

VAT : 174415411

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