Coronavirus advice – What homeowners and tenants need to know

Posted on 28th April 2020

Coronavirus advice – What homeowners and tenants need to know

We understand that this is a very confusing time for both homeowners and tenants across the country, and knowing what support is available to you right now is incredibly important. 

The Venture team are here to help you through this difficult period - in this blog we’ve covered key advice from our experts and have highlighted information you need to be aware of. 

What homeowners need to know – the mortgage payment holiday

You may have heard of this term several times over the last few weeks, but do you know what it actually means? 

With more than 1.2 million homeowners having already taken out a mortgage payment holiday since applications opened in March, it’s clear to see that it’s quite a popular option. 

So, what is a mortgage payment holiday? It’s what is says on the tin – your monthly mortgage repayments are paused for a set period of time, which is agreed between you and your lender and, under the UK government’s policy, you can apply for a holiday of up to three months.

Do I qualify for a mortgage payment holiday?

  • Are you up to date on your mortgage repayments?

  • Are you a landlord whose tenants have been financially affected by the coronavirus?

  • Are you concerned about not being able to make your mortgage repayment as you’ve lost your job or been furloughed?

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If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, you could benefit from a mortgage payment holiday. We strongly advise that if you’re concerned that you may not be able to meet your payments to get in touch with your mortgage lender immediately – they will discuss a plan of action which works for both parties. 

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What potential buyers and tenants need to know – viewings on properties

As we’re sure you’re aware it’s incredibly important to stay home and stay safe during the coronavirus lockdown, and we appreciate that this might mean some of your plans are put on hold. 

Many people across the country are eager to find their dream home so they can finally move in with their partner, or even just enjoy having their own space, however we’re afraid that as responsible estate and letting agents, who care for their customers and staff, we will not be arranging viewings of properties during the lockdown.  

We are respecting Government guidelines and encouraging members of the public to stay at home and we strongly believe that all agents should follow suit. We would recommend that if you are offered a viewing of a property, by an agent or landlord, that you politely decline and do not attend. 

During this uncertain time, if you’re interested in a viewing of a Venture property, you can call or email our team and we will log your details and will contact you when the climate changes and viewings can be arranged.

What potential homeowners and tenants need to know – letting tradespeople into your home during lockdown

To ensure we’re following the lockdown guidelines, we need to be limiting face-to-face contact with anyone who we don’t live with and maintaining a two-metre distance between one another, however what if you needed some work doing to your property?

The question you need to ask yourself is: “Is the work essential?” We would recommend that any non-essential work, such as an extension, or garage conversion, is postponed for the time being. Nevertheless, if you discover a leak, this could turn into a serious problem and you should call a plumber or your landlord for further advice. 

The Venture team are here to offer advice and support in any way they can, so if you do have a question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.