DEAR LANDLORD: Minister publishes letter urging you to help stop Covid surge

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Landlords have been tasked with urging tenants to keep their homes well ventilated this winter to combat the spread of Covid.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher (pictured) has issued advice to both private and social landlords which they should pass on to tenants, including the importance of letting fresh air into indoor spaces, part of the COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 which was published in the autumn.

It says this will not only help reduce transmission of the virus but will also reduce condensation, damp and mould.

“If you have responsibility as a landlord, whether in the social rented sector or private rental sector, we ask that you help us in our efforts to encourage behaviours to help combat the virus and cascade the message of the importance of good ventilation to your residents,” Pincher says in a letter sent to all landlords.

Rising costs

However, Pincher acknowledges: “We are aware that some residents will be reticent to ventilate their homes in the winter temperatures, especially in the current climate of rising fuel costs.”

For anyone having difficulty heating their homes, it asks landlords to share details about the Simple Energy Advice website and helpline, the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payment, and also suggests tenants could talk to their energy supplier.

Window of opportunity

The letter includes key messages for tenants and a toolkit of materials, advising landlords that they need to make sure all rooms have functioning openable windows or functioning extractors.

The government suggests they should consider installing positive pressure or constant run ventilation systems to reduce the likelihood of condensation and to make sure tenants know how to operate ventilation and heating systems to achieve a “healthy and economic balance of heating, ventilation and moisture production within the home”.

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