“Re-Opening the Home Moving Market Safely” delivers practical advice for all involved in the home moving process and focuses on physical contact points and times when professionals would need to enter private residential properties.
The guide was developed collaboratively by the residential sector and professional organisations’ representatives. It is relevant to property agents, mortgage advisers, property managers, property lawyers/conveyancers, surveyors, energy assessors, home removal, and also associated professionals such as those contractors involved in property development, management, and the home moving processes in the UK.
The contents have been shared with Government, industry regulators and Public Health authorities. As the situation is constantly evolving, the information will be updated regularly and sector specific guidance will be continuously added.
Recommendations include those for individual behaviour, client engagement and transparency, how ID checks can take place, and only allowing office attendance from clients by personal appointment.
Consideration must also be given to video viewing and checking the Covid-19 status of occupants. Ideally only one professional and two adults maximum can take part in a physical viewing, and that these should take place outside of commuter times. Terms of engagement/client letters must be amended to confirm restrictions or information on the physical inspection/visit.
There will be a separate document published later aimed at consumers wishing to buy and sell property.
Paul Smee, chair of the Conveyancing Association, commented: “This practical guide for all property professionals involved in the home moving process supplements, and builds on, the Government’s own guidance published yesterday.
“It provides recommendations for individual behaviour to reduce the risks of Covid-19, as well as key advice in areas such as client engagement, ID requirements, documentation, preparing a home for sale, plus pre- and post-inspections of properties.
“The CA is pleased to see the housing market in England being opened up, but are aware that this is not the case yet in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and there will be ongoing worries about this and the safety of the process.
James Sherwood-Rogers, chairman of the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), said: “Fundamental to all the guidance that is being issued is the controlled and secure operation of the property market ensuring the safety of those involved.
“With that in mind we are grateful to the councils who have minimised contact by providing electronic access to data and we encourage them, and the last 20 or so who are not doing that, to continue to do so until the threat of coronavirus has subsided
Kate Faulkner, chair of the Home Buying & Selling Group, added: “The re-opening of the property market is incredibly important for those currently stuck in properties which are no longer suitable for them. However, both property professionals and consumers need to make sure they adhere to these new guidelines so everyone can move safely.
“The property sector has worked incredibly hard to ensure these guidelines allow buying, selling and renting a home to be done safely, which is of paramount importance. Consumers will need to be patient while the industry gears up to move them.
The guidance was developed by representatives from ACSO, ARLA, BAR, Bold Legal Group, Conveyancing Association, CoPSO, CLC, HBF, MHCLG, NAEA, HM Land Registry, PEPA, RICS, RPSA, SLC, The Law Society, UK Finance and companies involved in the home moving process.
