Guidance Archives - Page 30 of 35

Na h-Eileanan Siar

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Due to an increase in prevalence of COVID-19 and an increase in infection rates Na h-Eileanan Siar will move to Level 4 from 00.01 Saturday.

New cases following a previous rise – including a community outbreak on Barra – have placed a significant strain on hospital capacity in the Western Isles Health Board area and the hospital on Stornoway is now reaching full capacity within available staffing resources. Some non-urgent procedures will be rescheduled but the hospital will maintain a full emergency service.

Clinical advice is that the move to lockdown is necessary to avoid the NHS becoming overwhelmed.

Nobody who lives in an area under lockdown should leave or remain outside their home except for an essential purpose like caring responsibilities, outdoor exercise and work that cannot be done from home.

Business Support

In addition to the UK furlough scheme, all businesses that require to close, at any level, are eligible for a four weekly grant of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value. Grants of £1,400 or £2,100 are available to businesses that are open, but subject to trading restrictions.

There is further information at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/strategic-framework-business-fund

Further Information

Link to today’s news release https://www.gov.scot/news/western-isles-in-lockdown/

Read the Stay at Home Guidance https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/

Link to COVID-19 protection levels https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/

Exclusive Use Venues

Posted on January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

“Exclusive use properties in Scotland provide accommodation solely for one customer or parties with a minimum let of one day. Normally, there is a minimum of three bedrooms, a residential licence or equivalent, and a full range of services for guests including all meals.”

According to the Scottish Assessors, Exclusive Use Venues are properties whose typical uses include a venue for weddings, conferences, corporate entertainment and private parties. The key criterion is that the property, or significant parts of it, is rented out to a single hirer at any one time.

Properties may provide facilities that range from purely a function venue, through to facilities that are similar to high quality hotels. The character of the property may range from function halls with little or no outlook, to marquees in scenic locations, grand rooms in historic homes and castles, to country houses and their associated estate. Some exclusive use venues will provide overnight accommodation either in the main building or in lodges at the property or a combination of both. This is the basis on which the rateable value of properties are valued by the Scottish Assessors.

This grant is reliant on the Exclusive Use Venue offering accommodation.

Properties used as short stay accommodation only, such as self-catering units (Commercial Properties Committee Practice Note 17), should not be valued as Exclusive Use Venues. Properties let out on a per room basis akin to hotels should be valued on the Hotel basis (Commercial Properties Committee Practice Note 20).

Guidance for Unoccupied Premises

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Now that we are in a further lockdown, your premises may be unoccupied. This could have implications for your insurance as most policies only provide unoccupied property cover for a limited period, typically 30 to 60 days.

During the first national lockdown in 2020, most insurers granted extensions to these periods, however many insurers are not providing such extensions this time around and will also require to be notified of premises becoming unoccupied.

Please make sure you understand your insurance policy and the requirements therein with regards to changes that you make due to Covid restrictions.

If your property or business premises are unoccupied please let your insurance provider know. Also, let them know if there are substantive changes to the pattern of occupancy of the premises (or units therein). Some examples of such changes are:

Changes to the opening times
Part occupancy during the working week
Weekend occupancy (where not previously disclosed)
Subletting to another party

Concerning security, make sure you are complying with your insurer’s minimum security requirements and that the property is properly secured with fully operative alarms and security cameras.

Please remember that despite premises being unoccupied, property owners still carry a responsibility to look after the premises. Regular maintenance is particularly important for unoccupied premises and of course, during winter months.

Please contact your insurance provider if you are unsure about your duty of care and unoccupied properties, or any other issues concerning your insurance policy and Covid-19.

With thanks to Bruce Stevenson for this advice.