Covid - New Lockdown Rules (Scotland) Trades People Working in Properties

Al_Ross

Covid - New Lockdown Rules (Scotland) Trades People Working in Properties, must only go into someone else’s home to carry out or deliver essential work or services

My son's flat is currently empty, the furniture apart from a sofa bed he was sleeping on, the rest is in storage whilst the flat was being repaired. It is almost complete but the wooden flooring had to be ordered and has now arrived. I should add my son is currently in hospital he suffers from a severe mental illness and will be there for several more weeks. So, the property would be empty whilst the joiner fitted the flooring.

The joiner is refusing as he says it is not essential, so not allowed to, but we just wanted the work finished and the furniture back in for my sons return to the flat.

Thoughts on this please.

youth_leader

So sorry to read this.  My removal company refused to help me during early lockdown as they said they weren't 'essential workers' - but I now see removals were allowed.  Could you find another joiner?  

elsien

This is the wording:

Tradespeople (which includes those carried out by the voluntary or charitable sector) must only go into someone else’s home to carry out or deliver essential work or services, for example:

• to carry out utility (including electricity, gas, water, telephone, broadband) safety checks, repairs, maintenance and installations
• to carry out repairs and maintenance that would otherwise threaten the household’s health and safety
• to deliver goods or shopping, where essential
• to deliver, install or repair key household furniture and appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers
• to support a home move, for example furniture removal
• domestic cleaner providing services in support of a clean and safe living environment for people in vulnerable circumstance, living with a disability or otherwise unable to clean their own home.

Could you argue that it falls into the H&S criteria, or to support a home move. 

Do you need it to be this joiner or can you find another one more willing? 
How long will it take them to do it? If you’re talking a couple of days, can you wait till closer to your son’s discharge? 

Al_Ross

No idea, how long he will be admitted for, could be weeks. We just wanted it all finished and his furniture back in for his return.

I have contacted another joiner who will probably do it.

So strictly speaking this would not be essential the furniture can’t come back in till the flooring is fitted and due to his health issues for him it possibly is classed as essential.

elsien

The place is empty. If there is no one else there there is minimal risk. There is no specific list of all the exemptions, just examples. I’d argue it was ok in the circumstances but it’s not up to me.

On a practical level is anyone going to notice, and if they do then you have an arguable case. If your new joiner is willing, I’d go for it. Your son is a vulnerable adult who needs a home to return to. 

Crashy_Time

Would have thought tradesmen needed all the work they could get just now, or maybe not? I think the government are starting to overreact now because people in many cases are just making up their own rules about what is safe, either that or they are seriously concerned about new versions of the virus, in any case having the house ready seems "essential" to me and there will probably be someone quite happy to do the work.