The Road Back to Work: A Real Estate Q&A on government guidance for office working and what this means for landlords 

The Government has launched new guidance on the safe use of offices as part of its road map for the return to work.

Whilst the guidance is aimed at employers, there are many aspects of the guidance that will ultimately fall to a landlord of a multi tenanted building to consider.

1. Is compliance with the guidance mandatory for landlords?
2. No. However, it encourages landlords to work collaboratively with its tenants in multi-tenanted sites/buildings to ensure the safety of building users –particularly in common areas (e.g. entrances, lifts, receptions).
3. Thought should also be had to your employees, agency workers and contractors who may be operating from the premises and measures that should be put in place to best ensure their safety.
4. What are the practical implications of the guidance on the operation of an office portfolio?
   1. Staggered arrival and exit times;
   1. Additional car parking/bike facilities;
   1. The use of additional entry points (including fire exits) which may require additional security;
   1. Regulating the use of communal changing/locker rooms – the use of which is likely to increase with higher numbers commuting by foot or cycling;
   1. Floor markings and one-way walking systems in ‘high traffic’ areas such as receptions;
   1. Servicing or adjusting ventilation systems so that they do not automatically reduce based on lower than average occupancy – maximum ventilation levels are recommended, where possible;
   1. Increased frequency of cleaning of common areas;
   1. The use of paper hand towels in place of hand driers in bathrooms;
   1. Reduced maximum lift capacity; and
   1. Widespread availability of hand washing facilities/sanitisers in common areas.
5. The guidance recommends that employers take a number of steps in relation to common areas, for example:
6. Clearly a great deal of the work to put these recommendations into action could fall to landlords where they have retained control over common areas.
7. What next?
8. How the cost of additional works/services will be dealt with and your ability to put any necessary measures in place could vary across your portfolio.
9. If you would like advice on changes in your estate as a result of Covid-19 or to discuss how the guidance may impact this and best protecting your position, please contact Ellie Black or Danielle Drummond-Brassington.