Managing the Impact of Coronavirus
I thought it now appropriate to provide our customers with greater detail regarding our approach to assist them through these difficult times.
Our offices remain staffed, although we are experiencing a drop in numbers as a result of the virus and Government restrictions in place. Telephone and email communication remain fully supported and therefore at this time there is no interruption in service.
It is now more important than ever that your development or property is in good financial health. In this respect, to protect our customers development funds, we have temporarily stopped promoting any non-essential maintenance or repairs, concentrating our efforts on essential and emergency works only. Our teams continue, where homeowner funds permit, to instruct contractors to carry out maintenance and repairs on behalf of our customers.
HPMS, on our customers behalf, has built strong relationships with several key contractors. Many of these contractors have been in contact with us, advising of the precautions they have taken to protect their workforce and our customers. They have advised us that they are primed and available to assist. Naturally contractors cannot guarantee that their ability to undertake works will continue, should further restrictions be put in place by the Government.
For most properties, the continued delivery of service by contractors and service suppliers is dependent on 3 key areas:
- Prompt and continued payment of charges rendered by HPMS to ensure payment can be made to contractors, service suppliers and insurers.
- Provision of a suitable property float fund
- Provision of a sinking or building maintenance fund (which could be used in emergency circumstances)
Whilst I fully appreciate the serious financial implications on some homeowners caused by the effects of this virus, I want to continue to assist all our customers in ensuring essential maintenance and servicing continues.
I would urge all of our customers to ensure, if at all possible, they pay their February Common Charges or are making agreed regular payments to the same, and that our customers plan ahead for the issue of our next invoice, which for most, will include essential building insurance cover costs up until August 2020. We would recommend payments are made electronically by any of the following methods:
- Through our website at http://hackingandpaterson.co.uk
- Through your My H&P Portal
- By Bank transfer using the following details:
- Clydesdale Bank
- Sort Code: 82 64 34
- Account Number: 00319784
- By telephone to our automated payment telephone number Tel: 0330 088 9592
I understand some of our customers are beginning to experience financial hardship, caused by loss of employment and therefore income. In these situations, homeowners may find it increasingly difficult to prioritise and pay incoming household bills. If you find yourself in this situation, I would urge you to contact us to enable us to see how we can help you through this situation. I appreciate the support homeowners give us by retaining HPMS as their property factor and particularly want to help our customers who find themselves in this difficult financial position. We aim to do all we can to help and support you.
If you do find yourself in this position please email us at creditcontrol@hackingandpaterson.co.uk and we will consider your situation as sympathetically and helpfully as possible and respond to you.
In these unprecedented times, we envisage that our ability to communicate by telephone may ultimately become restricted and therefore there has never been a better time to communicate with us through your My H&P App and/or email.
Most of our customers choose to receive their invoice and correspondence by e-mail, however, for any customers still receiving communication by post, if we hold your e-mail address we will contact you in the near future to confirm that we intend moving you to electronic communication.
If we do not have your email address, please provide us with the same as early as possible. You can do this by emailing info@hackingandpaterson.co.uk
I would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation where services may require to be adjusted. We will inform you in a further communication as changes become necessary. In the meantime, my dedicated team are here, as circumstances permit, to continue to arrange for the maintenance and servicing of your property and I sincerely thank you for trusting us with these responsibilities.
Please stay safe.
DAVID AC DORAN
Managing Director
