COVOID-19 ASSISTANCE

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During this time of uncertainty and worry it is essential that we work together to get through this difficult period. We look forward to your ongoing co-operation and mutual support.

 

First and foremost, our hearts go out to anyone who has been affected by the virus.

 

We understand that this terrible Coronavirus has caused chaos in all sectors and walks of life. We understand some of you will be under financial strain and to those we can we will attempt to offer what support we can.

 

The Government has announced a package to assist businesses during this period. We would ask that you consider and acknowledge that we do not benefit from the mortgage holiday scheme and we are still required to meet all of our financial commitments such as mortgage payments and staff wages to name but a few. We would also state that accepting a grant which must be repaid along with interest will not be viable for our business.

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

 

We will deal with requests for assistance on a case by case basis as to whether we can assist you with reduced or deferred rental payments. Any management plan may be subject to interest.

 

We must liaise with our institutional debt investors as to whether it can be granted and any such decision is in our absolute discretion. We must re-iterate we are an SME and have substantial commitments to make and staff members with families and their own financial commitments so any decision will not be an easy one.

 

If you will have difficulties meeting your next rental payment we ask that you provide the following information well in advance of the payment date, so if in our absolute discretion, we provide some financial relief it can be resolved in advance of the due date.

 

1.    Provide evidence that you have the Coronavirus by way of treatment record. Self-isolation for a period of 7 days will not be sufficient to mean you can no longer pay your rent/ After 7 days of sickness absence you can get an “isolation note” by visiting NHS 111 Online. this replaces the need to provide a “fit note”;

2.    If you cannot work because you are too ill to work you can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) which will pay up to £94.25 per week up to 28 weeks;

3.    Provide evidence that your wages have been drastically reduced i.e. last month’s normal payslip and this month’s reduced payslip;

4.    Confirmation from your employer if in the unfortunate event you have lost your employment i.e. P45;

5.    Copy bank statements and savings access.

6.    A proposed payment plan, simply stating you cannot make any payment will unlikely be accepted.

7.    Any guarantor who can guarantee its repayment

8.    Any other supporting information. The more information you can provide the more chance we will have of being able to make a decision

 

We would ask that you explore all avenues from family and friends prior to taking this measure as the cash flow is crucial to our business.

 

Any request for assistance must be made in writing to info@team-nico.com. Our team members you come into contact with during day to day activities will not be able to assist or provide any advice.

 

FURLOUGHED WORKERS

 

If your employer cannot cover staff costs due to COVID-19, they may be able to access support to continue paying part of your wages, to avoid redundancies. If your employer intends to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, they will discuss with you being classified as a furloughed worker. this would mean you are kept on your employer’s payroll, rather than being laid off. To qualify for this scheme you should not undertake work for them while you are furloughed. This will allow your employer to claim a grant of up to 80% of your wage for all employment costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. It is intended to run for at least 3 months from 1 march 2020, but will extend if necessary. With reduced living costs because of partial lock down and closure of all social facilities this means your rental payments should be made comfortably.

  

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

 

During this unprecedented time we are willing to relax our prohibition on renting certain properties to those receiving benefits for our current residents only. We must stress you must receive our consent prior to making an application and it will not be indefinitely, such consent is in our absolute discretion.

 

If you are a victim of the COVOID-19 pandemic you may be eligible to claim Universal Credit. You can seek further information here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

 

If you need a copy of your tenancy agreement please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

SELF EMPLOYED OR NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SSP

 

If you are not eligible for SSP – for example you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week – and you have COVID-19 or are advised to stay at home, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit or new style Employment and Support Allowance which is now payable from day 1 rather than day 8 if you have COVID-19.

 

CLAIMING BENEFITS

Whether you are currently in or out of work, if you are on a low income and affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, you will be able to access the full range of the welfare system, including Universal Credit.

From 6 April we are increasing the standard allowance in Universal Credit and the basic element in Working Tax Credit for 1 year. Both will increase by £20 per week on top of planned annual uprating. This will apply to all new and existing Universal Credit claimants and to existing Working Tax Credit claimants.

IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 OR ARE STAYING AT HOME

You are now able to claim Universal Credit, and if required can access advance payments upfront without needing to attend a jobcentre.

 

STUDENTS

We are aware of the recent announcements and online lectures regarding Universities and affected students, however the rent payments must still be observed in full as Student Loan Company has confirmed loan payments will remain unaffected.

 

SAFETY

 

Our priorities during this time are keeping our employees and residents safe and trying to ensure there will be no disruption in our service. We remain relentlessly focused on providing you with excellent customer service and we want you to know that we have contingencies in place to minimise any disruption and continue business as normal. Please keep your property clean at all times and respect any communal areas in the building you reside at and observe guidelines for containing the virus which can be seen here:

 

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

 

OUR STAFF

 

We would ask that you consider the safety of our team when requesting them to call to your home. We would ask that it is for essential repairs only and not those of a cosmetic nature. Furthermore if you or someone in your building has the virus it is imperative that you make us aware without delay.

 

If it is necessary for them to attend your property please keep your property clean and all surfaces treated with alcohol wipes and respect their personal space. Communal area cleaning may need to be suspended and therefore would ask that the residents keep the areas clean and free of objects which are not only untidy but also a fire hazard.

 

OFFICE HOURS

 

The office hours will remain open but due to limited staff numbers we would ask that you liaise mainly via email or the mobile phone contact numbers primarily to ensure you calls/messages are dealt with. We are no longer accepting appointments in person at the office and it is not unlikely that our office will close until further notice.

 

RESPECT

 

This is an uncertain time which can cause panic and stress. We understand you will be frustrated but we ask that at all times you deal with our staff respectfully at all times and be understanding throughout this uncertain time.

 

We hope you and your family remain safe.