How to stay safe and healthy in HMO’s during covid19

How to Stay Safe and Healthy in HMOs During COVID19 – Tips for Tenants and Landlords

As you know the Government is now requiring everyone to stay indoors in almost all circumstances, as well as restricting assemblies of more than two people at a time to combat the coronavirus. 

Practicing good hygiene and keeping social distance is the most powerful way to fight this virus and save lives.

However, if you live in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) then there is a higher risk of the virus spreading because more people are living in close proximity.

We’ve prepared these health and safety tips based to help HMO tenants and landlords. 

Health and Safety Tips for Tenants Living in HMOs:

If you are experiencing symptoms from the coronavirus then follow these steps:

  • let your property manager know – they’ll inform fellow tenants
  • self-isolate for 14 days 
  • remain in your room as much as possible and avoid communal areas
  • use a separate bathroom, if possible. If there’s only one bathroom, then use the bathroom last and thoroughly clean the bathroom before leaving
  • use the kitchen after everyone else, wear a face mask and gloves preparing food, use a dedicated kitchen worktop area and eat back in your room 
  • use separate dish cloths, crockery, cutlery and pots, pans or saucers 
  • do not shake dirty laundry 
  • and, finally, be very thorough with regular handwashing or hand sanitising

For everyone else we recommend following these steps:

  • remain in your own room as much as possible and avoid communal areas
  • use separate dish cloths, crockery, cutlery and pots, pans or saucers 
  • clean surfaces thoroughly, especially common areas, and wherever possible, wear disposable or washing-up gloves and aprons
  • clean frequently touched surfaces (bathrooms, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells and door handles) with disposable cloth and warm soapy water, followed by disinfect
  • eat your meals in your room
  • use a dishwasher, if you have one
  • and, finally, be very thorough with regular handwashing or hand sanitising

Health and Safety Tips for HMO Landlords:

  • inform fellow tenants if a tenant is experiencing coronavirus symptoms 
  • if you do need to interact with your tenants do so via phone, text or email. Avoid visiting the property. However, if it is an emergency maintenance visit, then practice social distancing and thoroughly wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before, during and after visiting the property.
  • ensure that cleaning of properties between tenancies is thorough.
  • consider emailing copies of government advice to all tenants
  • if possible, provide soap and/or sanitiser to the property
  • contact your tenants and find out if they are in the high-risk categories that need more extensive social distancing. If so, avoid any inspections or non-essential works during this period of self-isolation and find out how you can give them support.
  • higher risk individuals, or tenants experiencing coronavirus symptoms, may need assistance receiving food and medicine. Liaise with your tenant as to the best method of delivering items without physical contact – it may be their friend, family or another volunteer.
  • If you need to self-isolate make sure your tenants can contact you by email, phone, text or that they have an alternative contact for maintenance and management issues.

If you’d like to find out more, then call us on +44 (0) 203 286 6468 or email us at HMO@RekaProperty.co.uk

Together we can protect each other during these difficult and uncertain times.

Doug 

P.S. Remember to keep your distance and stay home unless it is necessary. I hope our paths cross again soon.

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