Property market reopens after lockdown

After seven weeks on hold, the government has freed its restrictions on the property market, allowing buyers and tenants in England to view properties and move home from today (Wednesday 13 May).

This news will come as a relief to the 450,000 people the government says have been unable to progress their plans to move since stay-at-home measures were introduced in March.

Moving house and viewing properties is not currently allowed in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Can I move home from today?

Yes. Buyers and sellers in England can now put homes on the market and view new properties to move into.

From today, estate agents are allowed to visit properties to conduct valuations and take photos and videos.

Although in-person house viewings are now permitted, the government has advised that home movers conduct the majority of their property search online to ward against the spread of coronavirus.

Will estate agents’ offices be open?

From today, estate agents can reopen their branches. The government says companies should consider how and when to open based on their ability to adhere to its COVID-19 workplace safety rules.

Agent should only allow clients to visit branches on appointment, and must ask if anyone is showing symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate before permitting visits or arranging house viewings.

In the first instance, agents are advised to offer virtual house viewings, and only conduct in-person viewings when the buyer or tenant is strongly considering making an offer.

Open house viewings aren’t permitted, and agents won’t be able to drive clients to appointments.

Sales offices at new-build developments can also re-open. Developers are advised to ‘promote virtual viewings’ but in-person viewings can be conducted on appointment by one household at a time.

How will house viewings work?

Viewings should be arranged by appointment and should be accompanied by an agent.

On viewings, social distancing measures must be adopted and all parties must wash their hands immediately after entering the home. Viewers are advised to bring their own hand sanitiser and avoid touching surfaces where possible.

If possible, existing tenants and sellers should vacate the property during viewings to minimise contact with other households. They should allow access to hand washing facilities and ideally provide separate towels or paper towels.

After the viewing, tenants and sellers should clean surfaces and door handles using standard cleaning products, and wash towels.

Find out more: house viewing checklist

How about conveyancers, surveyors and removals firms?

Conveyancers

As much of their work can be done remotely, conveyancers and property solicitors have been able to operate throughout the lockdown and will continue to do so now.

The government has now reiterated its advice that conveyancers ensure contracts are as flexible as possible to accommodate the risk of moves needing to be delayed if one of the parties shows coronavirus symptoms.

Surveyors

House surveyors are now allowed to undertake surveys for home buyers, subject to these rules:

When it comes to mortgage surveys, many banks were offering automated or ‘desktop’ valuations during lockdown to allow them to continue to process applications. We are contacting banks to find out whether they will now be relaunching physical valuations.

Removals firms

Removals companies are allowed to operate. Buyers and sellers have been given the following guidance on working with firms:

Removals firms are advised to implement a ‘buddy’ system to ensure the same people work together when moving furniture, and have been instructed to delay any moves where a member of the household is showing symptoms or self-isolating.

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