Paragon Bank is to recommence physical valuations of properties in Scotland and Wales following easing of restrictions in the countries.
The lender says it will put the same safety measures in place as applied when the English property market reopened in May, with safety assessments carried out prior to visits.
Protective equipment, such as face masks, gloves and shoe covers, will be available to surveyors who will maintain a distance of at least two metres from those inside properties.
The specialist buy-to-let lender will begin with visits that were arranged before lockdown.
Paragon managing director of mortgages Richard Rowntree says: “It’s great to see that the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales feel that it is safe for physical property valuations to resume.
“Revised processes such as desktop valuations provided Paragon with the ability to continue serving the specialist lending market throughout lockdown. Now we can recommence physical valuations, the added expertise of experienced surveyors means we can provide products in even more complex cases.
“This is important because this sort of specialist lending caters to the needs of professional landlords, helping to facilitate the supply of high-quality stock to meet the pent up and longer-term demand for rented accommodation.”
