07/01/21

Note to Residents

Dear Residents,

We hope you are as well as can be expected in these difficult times. 

We are writing to let you know (i) our plans for operating through the latest Covid-19 restrictions and how they will impact our services and your property and (ii) links to official government information should you require guidance, although we imagine most people are now well-versed in this from the media. 

The circumstances under which we all live and work have changed significantly since mid-March.  We continue to review and update our approach based on the latest information and advice provided by the Government.

Upper Street Premises (Lettings and Sales)

In line with the government’s latest guidance in relation to COVID-19; Islington Properties are now requiring all staff, contractors and clients (unless exempt) to wear a face mask when entering our Upper Street premises.  Following the latest lockdown announcement on 5^th January, staff will be working remotely much of the time with staff in the office on a rotational basis to perform essential tasks.  To ensure that we are able to maintain the safety of both our clients and staff, we have limited the number of clients we can assist at any one time within the shop. Therefore, all clients are requested to call ahead to book an appointment so we can continue to provide you with the highest level of service.

Please rest assured that our premises are Covid-secure and that we have conducted a thorough risk assessment. Hand sanitiser is available, protective screens are in place and staff wear face masks when assisting clients.

We politely ask that if you are feeling unwell that you do not visit our premises, and we will assist you through alternative means. If you have COVID-19 symptoms please refer to the section below on the actions you should take.

White Lion Street Premises (Block Management and Administration)

At Islington Properties, the health and safety of our team and of our clients comes first. Following the latest lockdown announcement on 5^th January, staff will be working remotely most of the time with some staff in the office on a rotational basis to perform essential tasks.  The office is Covid-secure with a detailed risk assessment in place, which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Client meetings are all being conducted remotely via Zoom. With the move of London to Tier 4, rRoutine site inspections are currently postponed until further notice. Site visits for emergencies can still be undertaken. Full IT and phone system capabilities and our out-of-hours emergency service remain in place as usual – please contact us in the normal way. Our team is here to help and we are working extremely hard to continue providing the highest standard of service.

Contractors and on-site staff

Most of our regular contractors continue to provide a front-line service through the pandemic for which we are very grateful.  Adequate PPE and social distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times.

Cleaning staff and contractors are permitted to continue cleaning common parts of buildings as they are relatively high-risk areas.  Staff are prioritising cleaning high footfall / touch areas (including, but not limited to, door handles, door panels, lift buttons and bannisters). If you have on-site staff in your building, they are continuing to work with the appropriate PPE.  We are keeping in close contact with them to ensure that they have the support they need.  Should the staff need to self-isolate, we are still able to access temporary cover.

Deliveries

Most delivery companies have now implemented no-contact delivery procedures, where the courier leaves the item outside your property for collection. Residents in self-isolation must ensure they use no-contact delivery for the safety of the couriers and the community as a whole, however, it is advisable that all residents utilise the new delivery option to guarantee their personal health and safety. 

If your building benefits from on-site staff, please make sure to communicate with them that you would like the post to be left outside your door, if you are in self-isolation or simply prefer no-contact delivery.

Rubbish Disposal and Collection

The virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days depending on the surface that it is present on.  This is why we ask all residents in self-isolation to follow the government’s advice on personal waste (such as used tissues).  Waste and disposable cleaning cloths should be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should then be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other general household waste or recycling. Personal waste should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin.

Covid-19 Advice

We are sure you have access to ample information online about the ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 and the steps we are all being asked to take.  We have compiled a basic list for you below as a reference point if you do need further information.
We are committed to ensuring the well-being and health and safety of all of our staff and residents. That is why we will continue to keep our approach flexible - you can access this letter and other future updates via our news section, which you can find here:

Any major future updates will be communicated with you directly via e-mail.

Covid-19 – Further Sources of Government Advice

If You Need to Self-isolate

Government advice is to self-isolate if you or anyone in your household displays symptoms of new continuous cough and/or high temperature. For the health and safety of others, it is important to follow the self-isolation rules laid out below and follow further guidance provided by the government and the NHS on this matter.

If you live alone and you have any symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, you need to stay at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms, then you must stay at home for 10 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

For anyone else in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 10 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 10-day isolation period.

For further details on symptoms and self-isolation please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

If you or anyone in your household are self-isolating, or are showing any symptoms, please notify us and the on-site staff.  We will treat this information with discretion and require it to make suitable arrangements - should that be arranging increased cleaning services outside your property or making alternative arrangements to protect contractors and staff.  

Further Guidance

The latest information from the NHS and the Government can be found on the following pages:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/common-questions/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

The pandemic continues to consume a significant portion of the media conversation, and we understand this can be a primary cause of stress. In times like these, it is important to take care of your mental health as well as physical wellbeing. If you would like to find out more on how to manage stress during these unprecedented times, please refer to the guidance provided by the NHS.

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/