The Association of Residential Letting Agents says the key for getting through the virus crisis is good communications, both with clients and with the wider world to show that individual agencies are still operating.

It’s set out a seven-point plan for doing it, as follows:

1. Keep active on social media to show others that you’re around, even if that’s to reminisce on big achievements your company accomplished before the pandemic and how you’re looking forward to re-opening and facing the new normal;

2. Reassure the potential income in your pipeline that they will find their dream home after COVID-19 with you;

3. Take client care to a human level to show that you’re not a robotic business with £’s in mind and in fact you’re compassionate and approachable;

4. Speak to your tenants to find out more about their financial position this will flag any problems early on so that you can try to resolve these before the rent is due;

5. The pandemic has caused tenants to panic and, in some cases, cancel their Direct Debits. Speaking to your tenants and explaining the situation can often result in rent being paid;

6. Keep your landlords updated on the work being done to reassure them you’re having the right conversations with their tenants;

7. Find out more about your landlords and their financial position. You can use a red, amber, green system to prioritise those that are a priority and may rely on rent payments as their sole income.