Guidelines for letting tradespeople into your home
At this unprecedented time and with the situation changing daily, many people are wondering if it’s ok to allow tradespeople into their homes to make urgent or non-urgent repairs. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick has released the following guidance that you may find useful:
“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.
“Again, it will be important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a two-metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
“No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so. In such cases, Public Health England can provide advice to tradespeople and households.
“No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.”
This advice means is that if you require essential maintenance to your boiler or you experience a leak or emergency situation with doors or locks, you can go ahead as normal so long as you follow the guidelines. However, all non-essential work should be postponed including new kitchens, extensions and bathroom renovations. However, if you’re in the middle of these works it’s important to secure the area until you can continue.
We are living in a digital age and you may find that an electrician, plumber or gas engineer may be able to help solve your problem remotely. If you experience difficulties with your WiFi or television services and it can’t be fixed remotely, this isn’t deemed as essential work so you may have to wait until you can get someone to fix these issues.
- If a tradesperson does visit your home follow these guidelines:
- Keep your distance from anyone within your home.
- Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
- When the tradesperson leaves, clean thoroughly.
- Cover your mouth and nose if you cough and sneeze and dispose of any tissues straight away.
- Clean all objects and surfaces including door handles, switch and anything else a tradesperson has come into contact with.