Integris Property Solutions

26/05/2022

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms compulsory from 1 October

Under the current rules, landlords have needed to ensure that a smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

They also must put a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where solid fuel is burnt, such as wood, coal or biomass and including open fires. It does not include gas, oil or LPG and currently landlords or agents must ensure that the alarms work at the start of each new tenancy.

The new regulations state, that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms used as living accommodation where there is a fixed combustion appliance, such as gas heaters and boilers, from the beginning of October 2022. Private and social landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty at any point during the tenancy.

The rules will, however, not extend to gas cookers.

Carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all tenures through building regulations and smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social rented homes.

The Draft Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament on 11 May 2022 and once approved will come into force on 1 October 2022.

All private landlords and registered providers of social housing who would not be compliant with these regulations at present should begin installation and repair of these alarms immediately, as they risk being fined for breaching the rules as soon as they come into force.

Please feel free to share this to your partners and colleagues.

05/01/2021

A small amount of good news amongst the new lockdown doom and gloom is that we can continue to carry out all inspection types within managed rental properties.

Responsible behaviour by everyone involved and adherence to safety guidance throughout is more important than ever.

So by continuing to follow full Government and NHS guidelines, it is business as usual for the foreseeable future.

03/01/2021

With 2020 now behind us and the prospect of the rollout of effective vaccines having their expected impact, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to burn ever brighter and 2021 promises to be so much better.

So here's to a happier, healthier and more sociable New Year and lets hope we can get back to some form of normality soon and lose these damned facemasks!

21/12/2020

I received this recently and thought I would share it with you all as it is so appropriate for this strangest of all Christmases.

Firstly, thank you personally for your support over the last difficult year and of course in previous years. 2020 is without doubt the year we all want to forget.

We all started 2020 in such a positive way, an election just behind us, the stock markets climbing and business on the up.

Then the rumours started to come out of China, and we all watched the news thinking "oh no, but it´s a long way away and it will be just like all those other outbreaks that never go anywhere".

March 23rd arrived, and we were all forced to quickly change our minds and stay at home.

So, what have I learned during the enforced lockdowns,?

1. How great the NHS is, and how lucky we are to have it.

2. Teachers have certainly gone up in my estimation.

3. The British public has an unlimited sense of humour and without WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok , I might have gone mad, though looking at some of the song and dance routines on these platforms, some obviously already have!

4. Staying in is the new going out, it´s sad when my dog and dustbins now go out more than I do!

5. Not following that dream to own a pub or restaurant is now, in hindsight, a great decision.

6. I now know my neighbours, sometimes too well.

7. I have learnt relevant new skills (well that´s what I tell myself).

8. Doing meetings on Zoom & Microsoft Teams has lost its charm.

9. Foreign holidays have never looked so good!!

10. Finally, I never thought I would be glad to hear about "Brexit" again.

But there is hope on the horizon and as the first people are being vaccinated, the light at the end of the tunnel glows that little bit more brightly.

The future is looking better, and hopefully the world will soon start to return to normal. This time next year maybe this will be all over.

If you have lost someone during this terrible time my sympathies go out to you and your family.

We still have some way to go, so until we speak or meet again, stay safe and healthy, have a great Christmas and here´s looking forward to that happier new year in 2021.

03/12/2020

Covid - 19 Latest news following the end of the Second Lockdown
Fortunately the Housing market managed to escape any restrictions through the second lockdown in England narrowly avoiding a repeat performance of the damaging effects of the first industry pause.

As we emerge from lockdown back into regional tiers, the housing market remains open for business. However it remains incumbent upon everyone to continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus by following current government and health guidance.

At Integris we have been operating under strict Covid-19 safe procedures since the market re-opened back in May, protecting the safety of our Letting Agent clients, their Tenants and, of course, our own Team Members. Tenant-facing on-site visits will only be made to properties where Tenants are not showing symptoms or have not been asked to self-isolate or shield. When making appointments over the phone, Integris Inspectors use a checklist of questions related to Tenant health, and when on site, appropriate personal protection equipment is worn at all times.

For Inventory and Checkout inspections, where the Tenant is not present, Integris ensure that the property is empty for a minimum of 48 - 72 hours before entering as guidelines say that the virus should no longer be present after this time. In addition, our clients sanitise keys prior to issue and we do the same upon return.

The Housing Market remains very buoyant and hopefully the industry will soon be able to make a full recovery.

With Christmas now looming fast, we would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2021.

Integris continue to offer all Services:
Detailed Inventories
Check Outs
Interim Inspections
Accompanied Check Ins

02/11/2020

Extract from Property Reporter: Housing Market to Remain Open:

According to Saturday's announcement, the UK housing market has managed to escape the restrictions and narrowly avoided a repeat performance of the damaging effects of the first 'industry pause'.

With full details revealed later this week, the Housing Secretary made it clear that “that ‘the housing market will remain open throughout this period. Everyone should continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus by following the current guidance” adding “They will need to follow social distancing guidance that has already been published.”

Also revealed in a separate tweet was that renters are included in the new guidance and will also be able to move home.

However, the big question remains whether estate agency branches can remain open.

A government spokesperson cautiously advised that "estate agents will be able to operate" but would not elaborate further claiming that a further announcement on this would come in the next few days.

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark, responded to the news: “We welcome the news that the housing market is to remain open throughout this second lockdown period, and it is essential that all agents continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus through following all relevant guidance

03/06/2020

Demand for rental properties rose sharply after the relaxation of restrictions on the property sector in England, in part attributed to job changes and relationship break-ups.

Demand from 18 May was up 22% year-on-year in Britain according to property website Rightmove, with the firm suggesting there was “pent-up demand” due people changing or losing jobs or deciding to move out once lockdown eased.

However, the number of rental properties listed remains down on 2019 levels, partly due to landlord concerns about tenants affording rent during the economic uncertainty of the pandemic.

14/05/2020

Coronavirus (Covid -19) Latest - Property Sector Resumes!

On 12/05/2020, as part of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020, the Government removed restrictions on residential sales and lettings in England.

It is anticipated that Government will provide further guidance on safety arrangements as soon as possible to ensure that agents, their clients, and contractors can conduct business safely.

Safety remains absolutely paramount and we must all follow up to date Government guidelines closely to protect all parties.

The new rules allow the undertaking of any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property:

1. Visiting Estate or Letting Agents, Developer Sales Offices or Show Homes
2. Viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or rent
3. Preparing a residential property for move in
4. Moving home
5. Visiting a residential property to undertake any activities for the rental or sale of that property

Integris are currently offering:
Detailed Inventories & Check Outs only

Returning when safe to do so:
Interim Inspections & Check Ins

For more information, email us today on [email protected]

or call us on 01952 883561

09/05/2019

We are immensely proud to announce that we have won the contract to provide Inventory Reports for all of the 61 Luxury Apartments at the newly refurbished and prestigious Haybridge Development in Hadley.

Work commences immediately with the first inspections being carried out this week.

The Haybridge - Newly renovated and refurbished 1 and 2 bed apartments to let in Hadley, Telford. Perfect for rental by professional individuals or couples.

28/02/2019

Great start to 2019. 10% up YTD. Thanks to all our valued clients.👍