The housing market will remain open during the four-week lockdown in England, which begins on the 5th of November.
On the evening of 3rd November 2020, the Government issued the following guidance to the industry:
individuals may leave home…
…to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property—
(i) visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;
(ii) viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent;
(iii) preparing a residential property to move in;
(iv) moving house;
(v) visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
At HoldenCopley, we would like to reassure that with the housing market remaining open, we will be available to assist you in the property market. We will continue to follow the procedures we have used since the property market re-opened in July, and we look forward to assisting you.
As long as you are not self-isolating or in quarantine, you are free to move home. If you would like to arrange a property valuation with us, please get in touch.
Guidance on buying and selling during lockdown
While people are free to move, it is important to note some of the processes and procedures will be different when searching for or moving into a new home.
Please take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the rules which are currently in place.
Viewings
When at all possible, you should undertake a virtual viewing at first. This helps to reduce the number of agents and people entering different households. Also, we believe this helps you save time in determining which property is of most interest to you.
During the viewing process, all attendees, the viewer and the agent, must wear a face covering, and must observe social distancing guidelines throughout the process. You should avoid touching any surfaces, and you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap before and entering the property.
Viewings are limited to a maximum of two households, and viewings will be arranged by appointment only.
Offers through to completion
You are free to make and accept an offer on properties however it is likely that the conveyancing process will be slower than usual. This is due to many solicitors operating at limited capacity alongside the already busy property market.
If you are about to enter into a legally binding contract then you should discuss the implications of either party being affected by having to self-isolate or quarantine. It is advised by the government that we should remain as flexible as possible in these scenarios, with contracts ideally reflecting that.
Moving
As moving can still take place, it is important that both parties try to be as flexible as possible in these difficult times. Although removal firms are still able to carry out work, please try and do as much of the packing yourself and try to wipe down your belongings with disinfectant before they are handled by someone else.
As always, we advise people to stay in touch with the latest Government guidelines on moving home, which can be found online here.
Here, at HoldenCopley, the safety and wellbeing of both you and our employees are paramount. We are confident that by following the Government guidelines, we can still operate safely and successfully.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch and contact us.