The National Grid’s chief executive has issued a warning for planned blackouts which are likely to be imposed during weekdays through the winter months of 2022-2023. These rolling blackouts are likely to come about as a consequence of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Advice released so far suggests that these blackouts will take place during winter weekdays, between 4pm and 7pm. During these times, it’s important that tenants are well informed and prepared to avoid the worst of the inconveniences.
How can you prepare your tenants for incoming blackouts? When unexpected, a blackout can cause major inconvenience to your tenants. Likely, uninformed tenants will contact you, their landlord, for updates and information when these blackouts take place. Properly informing your tenants of the incoming expected blackouts and providing information on how to prepare, can avoid tenant confusion and a difficult to manage inbox which may occur if tenants are uninformed and worried about the lack of energy in their home.
What to tell your tenants
- Pass on the most up-to-date information available on the expected blackout times and frequency.
- Advise your tenants to have external batteries available for important devices (phones, laptops etc).
- Advice that your tenants have a torch (with working batteries) in an easy-to-find location.
- Remind your tenants that blackouts may interfere with meal times, this is especially relevant for tenants who have young children. Your tenants can ensure that they have non-cook meals available, or (if your tenant has a safe outdoor space) camping stoves can be very helpful when blackouts last for extended periods of time.
- Reassure your tenants that blackouts which last for a few hours shouldn’t cause any large issues to fridge or freezer food. As long as your tenants keep the doors to their fridge and freezer shut, the food inside should maintain a cool temperature during the blackout.
- Remind your tenants that they may need to plan for the cold, particularly if they have children. Ensuring they have adequate blankets and warm clothes ahead of the heating being cut off on cold evenings.
Whilst blackouts can cause inconvenience to tenants, especially during the cold winter months, properly advising your tenants of the upcoming plans and offering information to prepare should make the circumstances easier for everyone to deal with.
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