Our country is in a period of uncertainty. Up until 15th March, life was normal: we could go to work, visit friends, and enjoy spending time in shops and restaurants. I was even planning to take my daughter to the Emirates for the first time to watch our team Arsenal play Liverpool. She was really looking forward to this adventure and had learnt the names of the players in anticipation. We were looking...

Our country is in a period of uncertainty. Up until 15th March, life was normal: we could go to work, visit friends, and enjoy spending time in shops and restaurants. I was even planning to take my daughter to the Emirates for the first time to watch our team Arsenal play Liverpool. She was really looking forward to this adventure and had learnt the names of the players in anticipation. We were looking forward to meeting Ozil and Bukaya Saka. None of that seems as important anymore.



Since the lockdown, I have had to retrain myself to run my agency from home. I now have another job, working as a home-schooling teacher. I’m trying to educate my 5-year-old on addition, art, and Algebra, as well as teaching her how to ride a bike. I can’t find the words to describe the great job that her teachers normally do considering how much patience it takes to nurture a 5-year-old. I now appreciate their hard work even more. I think we’re all learning to appreciate more, especially the little things, like hugging friends and family, and even just the air we breathe.

I have felt overwhelmed and humbled hearing the news stories every day. Over 20,000 retired NHS staff are returning to work. Over 250,000 people applying to volunteer for the NHS within 24 hours. The government offering businesses grants to secure jobs. Vicars performing church services to people in the street. Strangers shopping for the elderly and vulnerable. A stranger paying for a Paramedic’s shopping in Lidl Cromer, while other customers applauded him in the supermarket. We should all take comfort in the acts of kindness that we are witnessing during this period.



An offer for NHS Staff



We can all agree that, in our current situation, the NHS staff and key workers are doing an exceptional job. These selfless people are working tirelessly, day in and day out, to help our county in its time of need. I could not help but feel very proud of our country when I saw the whole nation clapping and bursting with pride for all of our amazing NHS workers on Thursday evening.



Unfortunately, we cannot do much to help them at the moment, other than play our individual part of #StayingHome, washing our hands, and observing social distancing. So, the Melanie Estates team wanted to say our own little “thank you” by offering a special package for NHS staff.



Up until the end of the year, we are creating a new opportunity for NHS staff and key workers in Norfolk. They can now sell their house with us completely FREE of charge (This offer is limited to 3 people only). We are also offering all emergency NHS staff a 1 to 5- night stay in one of our short-term accommodation options for free. This offer is subject to availability and open on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please call 07946681568 if you require urgent accommodation in Norwich or Great Yarmouth.

The launch of AskAlex



Additionally, I am offering further assistance to landlords and tenants by launching AskAlex. This is a phone line and email address dedicated to Norwich tenants and landlords affected by Coronavirus. I will dedicate an hour every day to answering property related questions in order to help you to the best of my ability.

If you are a tenant and have been affected by Coronavirus, for example:

  • You are being evicted from your property
  • You are trying to end your tenancy early
  • You are struggling to pay your rent

We can offer free initial advice. We could help you to agree a payment plan with your landlord or agent and even help you to advertise your property if you want to end your tenancy early. We will do this for you completely free so that you can find replacement tenants, move out, and mitigate any financial impact this could have on you. We just want to do our bit to reduce any difficulty that you may be going through.



If you are a landlord and you are struggling with any property-related issues, such as:

  • Your tenant is in arrears
  • Your tenant has terminated their tenancy agreement early
  • You’re thinking of applying for a mortgage holiday
  • You’re not sure how to deal with management issues surrounding your rental property.

Just ask Alex. You can call 07946681568 or email alex@melaniestates.co.uk


Sources:

20,000 NHS Staff return to work: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52087452 Volunteers for the NHS: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/03/250000-nhs-volunteers/

Government support for businesses: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and- features/coronavirus-financial-support-government-money-help-rent-bills-a9407776.html

Church in the street: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-priest-pat-allerton-street- services-coronavirus-lockdown-a4405926.html

Cromer story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-52133766