Dear All,

Hope you are well and staying safe during this time in our lives and coping with the restrictions that are in place.

As you know the office is still closed and the staff are working remotely, we will be shutting down out laptops for the Christmas period from the 23rd December 2020 until the 6th of January 2021.

Please take a couple of seconds to save:
https://glasgowpropertyletting.fixflo.com/Auth/HomeIssueCreate
and use this link when reporting repairs.

During the pandemic we have to triage repairs which means that we have to work together and use common sense.

If there is water pooling at the bottom of a fridge, chances are that the drain in the fridge needs cleaned and there are youtube videos to explain that, like wise if there is a condensation build up due to lack of ventilation a spray and damp cloth can remove that build up.

Ideally if it is a small issue that you can deal with and a contractor does not need to go to the property, then we are doing our part to contain the virus.

If water is coming into your property, advise the upstairs neighbour to allow them to turn off the water.
You may wish to contact the factor of the property as that would be the company managing the building. If you do not already have these details, you can find them at
Scottish Factor Register
If you have water leaking from your property, please turn off the stopcock (location of which is detailed in your inventory) and all water supplies before calling our emergency contractor.
If there is no water supply, please contact Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778

For plumbing or heating emergencies, Kinetic Gas Services can be contacted on 07907 802 749.
For electrical emergencies please contact Kearn Electrical Services on 07794558970.
Please only call the out of hours numbers in the case of an emergency.
Please inform our office by the next available working day if you have had to contact our emergency number

Support for tenants

Tenants who have suffered financially due to Covid-19, can now receive support in a form of interest-free loans from the Scottish Government’s £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund.

The loan scheme funding, which has opened for applications (Monday 7th December 2020), is available to both private and social tenants who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of the pandemic.
Eligibility criteria
The interest-free loans can only be used to clear rent arrears that have accrued since 1st January 2020 and/or to pay a maximum of three months future rent payments. Only a maximum of nine months’ rent payments in total can be applied for.

There is a requirement for the applicants to pass an affordability and credit check in advance of a loan being granted. The eligible tenants must also confirm that they were not in rent arrears prior to January 1st this year. Multiple applications are not allowed.

Verification process

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will be delivered by The Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government. To confirm the level of any rent arrears and to also ensure that funds are only used to pay registered landlords, The Energy Saving Trust will contact the landlords of the applicants for verification.

Deferred loan repayments
Once the loan has been paid out, tenants will have six months to start repayments, which should be made in six monthly instalments, although the full amount can also be paid at any point.
Tenants affected by COVID-19 who are concerned about paying their rent are being urged to speak to their landlords as soon as they find themselves in financial difficulty. They are also advised to apply for Statutory Sick Pay and Universal Credit where eligible.

Further information on how to apply for Statutory Sick Pay or Universal Credit can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Tenants might be also able to receive support through the Scottish Welfare Fund here:
https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund/crisis-grants/
The latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak in Scotland can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Tips to Consider Before Decorating Your Rental Home for Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, we’re all putting up our decorations. While proud homeowners will be adorning their homes with bright fairy lights, stunning wreaths and festive-smelling candles without a second thought, for those living in rental homes it’s not always that simple.
It doesn’t have to be like this though. If you’re struggling to think of ways to decorate your rental home without upsetting your landlord and risking your deposit, we’ve got a few tips to ensure you can get into the festive spirit without the worry.

Check your tenancy agreement
Before you start Christmas planning, it’s important that you check what your tenancy allows you to do. As you do not own the home, you’re bound by the rules and regulations laid out in the rental contract you signed, so you’ll need to take care when decorating to make sure you don’t break any of these.

It’s common for landlords to disallow hanging things on the wall as the pins or Blu Tack used can leave marks or holes which will need to be filled in or repainted. Additionally, some will have very strict end-of-tenancy clean up standards, so you don’t want to be left picking Christmas tree needles out of your wooden flooring for the rest of the year. However strict the rules may seem, following them will ensure you keep a good relationship with your landlord and you won’t need to stress about repairing or replacing damaged goods or fittings.

Weigh up your tree options
Choosing a Christmas tree is a major part of the build-up excitement, but with both real and artificial trees having their pros and cons, it’s important that to put some thought into the type of tree you pick. Although some may settle with the ease and value for money of an artificial tree, there are many others who will want to head out and choose their own real tree to really get into the festive spirit.
While these real varieties look beautiful and smell fresh and Christmassy, they’re known for being high maintenance, shedding their pine needles and creating a real mess along the way. In some cases they can even be unsuitable for your rental home, especially if you’ve got a flat that doesn’t have much space or has low ceilings as this can cause long-lasting damage you’ll be charged for.
However, don’t fret — the maintenance problems associated with real trees can be beaten with a little tree knowledge and TLC — this Christmas tree care guide from Wyevale Garden Centres has all the information you need on how to trim, stand and water your real tree, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up after a wilted and dried-out Christmas tree.

Find alternatives to hanging decorations
Classic Christmas decorations include hanging paper snowflakes from the ceiling, sticking banners, wreaths and tinsel to the wall and nailing stockings to the fireplace. But, if your tenancy has strict rules against sticking or hanging anything on the walls, you’ll need to give your Christmas decorations some careful thought.
Some of these will be easy fixes, such as laying your garlands on the fireplace rather than nailing up hooks or adding ornaments or Christmassy soft furnishings instead of dressing the walls. For more inspiration, we recommend checking out Pinterest to find décor ideas which won’t damage your home, like these DIY Christmas decorations.

Keep an eye on your candles
A fool proof way of bringing Christmas spirit into your home — whether you own it or not — is to give it a festive atmosphere and aroma. You can do this by making use of festive scented diffusers and candles, as well as air fresheners — you can’t go wrong with toasty cinnamon and fresh pine cone scents.
These are all perfectly fine and shouldn’t cause an issue, however candles can leave waxy marks on surfaces as they melt, so be sure to rest them on a candle tray. Additionally, you should never leave candles unattended and must make sure they’re blown out before you leave your home as these could cause fire. If your contract prohibits the use of candles altogether, you could use LED battery alternatives to stay on the safe side and create the same cosy atmosphere.

Make a festive table display
If you’re really limited as to how you can decorate your rental home, laying a festive table display would be a great way to spread Christmas cheer without damaging anything. We recommend getting some festive coloured candles and tea lights, as well as a showstopping wreath and complementary charger plates, napkins and cutlery for the perfect set up. We recommend looking at Instagram to find spaces that are similar to your own, or ideas that can be adapted to your rental home — like this Christmas table hashtag.
It’ll also be a good idea to lay down a runner or tablecloth. Not only will this protect your table from any spills, stains or candle wax, but it can add an additional Christmassy element. Plus, you’ll have a head start on your dinner preparations when the 25th comes around!
With tenancy agreements, landlord’s rules, and deposits to consider, decorating a rental home for Christmas can seem difficult. However, with these top five tips, you can create the perfect winter wonderland without the stress of damaging your landlord’s property.

 Glasgow Property Letting Ltd repair reporting

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https://glasgowpropertyletting.com/tenants-email-4th-november-2020-financial-support-payment-details-repairs-windows-inspections-and-utilities/
Tenants email 4th November 2020 Financial support, payment details, repairs, windows, inspections and utilities – Glasgow Property Letting
Dear all, As it seems a high chance we will be entering a second lockdown following suit with our neighbouring countries we wanted to pass on some important information to you. Financial Tenants affected by coronavirus with concerns about paying their rent can claim Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions which includes … Read more
glasgowpropertyletting.com

Hope you have a wonderful time over the festive season and 2021 is prosperous,

Regards

Michelle and the Glasgow Property Letting team

17 Elmbank Street
Glasgow
G2 4PB

0141 221 3990