If for any reason a physical valuation is not possible, the bank will still provide desktop valuations.

Desktop valuations will continue in other parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, for residential properties up to 85% loan-to-value and 75% LTV for buy-to-let, pending further updated guidance.

The continuity of its mortgage services has been a key priority for Bank of Ireland UK and the bank’s team of business development managers have maintained contact throughout the Covid-19 pandemic by communicating via Zoom, webinars and webchat.

Iain Smith, head of intermediaries at Bank of Ireland UK, said: “The return to physical mortgage valuations is a positive sign for the mortgage market. We’ve continued to work closely with our brokers and be there for them during these difficult times.

“As well as providing a range of additional measures to support mortgage customers – including acceptance of furloughed customers, payment breaks, and product transfers for customers in payment breaks – we have been providing desktop valuations and maintained our normal underwriting service levels, so avoiding application backlogs.”