PROPERTY VIEWINGS AND MOVES IN LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

People who are in the process of
selling their house and moving to a new home as the UK continues to tackle the
transmission of Coronavirus, are left asking ‘What now?’’

First things first, it is essential to
stay abreast of current Government and
official advice. It is vital that everyone observes the measures
that are in place to limit the spread of the virus.

Under current guidance, people who wish
to move home can do so as long as all safety measures are carried out. Estate
agents can visit your home in order to take photos and videos, prospective
buyers are able to view your property and removals companies are able to
facilitate home moves.

However, the safety and wellbeing of
everyone involved is the most important issue, and although there is now more
freedom to move home, public health and Government guidance should always come
first. In all instances it is important to adhere to social distancing measures
and any physical appointments should be postponed immediately if anyone is
self-isolating or showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Adapting existing arrangements

All parties are encouraged to adapt and
be flexible, altering their usual practices, agreeing alternative dates to move
if necessary.

The guidance states that anyone with
symptoms, self-isolating, or shielding from the virus should follow medical
advice which will mean not moving for the time being, if at all possible.

Clinically vulnerable and shielded
individuals must carefully consider their personal situation and may wish to
seek medical advice before decided whether to move. It is important to take a
patient approach if you are in a chain with someone who is vulnerable, allowing
them time to safely conduct a move.

Much of the anxiety around house moves
comes from the contractual terms and Government has tried to ease this pressure
through:

• Laying down sector specific guidelines;
• Asking banks and building societies to extend
  the period prior to the expiry of a mortgage offer;
• Working with conveyancers to develop a
  standard legal process for delaying moving completion dates.

Listing properties

You can put your home on the market and
start to look for properties you want to move to. Agents can list new
properties and are able to visit your property to take photos and videos while
fully adhering to public health guidance. If any member of the household is
showing symptoms or self-isolating then estate agents should not physically
visit the property.

Get in touch with the relevant agent to
find out what they are offering and how they are working and follow the advice
that they put forward. They will be able to explain their own procedures and
how they are managing the safety of their staff and clients.

Viewings

Government guidance for England, Scotland,
Wales, and Northern Ireland allows
for physically distanced viewings that carefully adhere to public health guidance.
It is vital that safety comes first, with the guidance reflecting that with
several measures that need to be followed to conduct viewings safely:

• Wales only: physical viewings should only take
  place if the property has been deep cleaned or unoccupied for at least 72
  hours.
• Viewings must only take place with serious buyers who are
  genuinely interested in the property.
• Initial viewings should be done online as virtual viewings. We
  have created a guide on how to
  conduct your own virtual viewings. Your estate agent
  can also assist you with this.
• When conducting physical viewings, they should be done by
  appointment only and open houses are not permitted.
• If your home is being viewed, open all windows and doors prior to
  the viewing taking place and if possible, leave the property for the
  duration of the viewing.
• Everyone involved must wash their hands prior to the viewing and
  handwashing facilities should be made available with separate paper towels
  if possible.
• Estate agents will look to restrict the number of people present
  at the viewing in order to follow social distancing guidelines.
• Once the viewing has finished, the homeowner should ensure
  surfaces such as door handles are cleaned.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before the viewing, your estate agent will confirm with you in
writing that you have appropriate protective equipment. If you do not confirm
prior to the viewing, your estate agent may cancel the appointment. Our members
are working to best practice guidance which outlines the equipment all parties
involved should use during viewings, including gloves and face coverings.

This guidance is designed to protect everyone involved with
property viewings. It is important that you work with your estate agent and use
the appropriate PPE to ensure everyone’s safety.

You can find the full Government guidance on property viewings here.

Offers

Offers continue to be made and accepted on properties, many of
which were already on the market and conveyancers are carrying out desk-based
valuations and searches using local authority online systems wherever possible.

Prospective buyers who have agreed a sale may wish to visit a
property again now restrictions have been lifted. They are now able to do so as
long as they follow the same advice for viewings, for example, virtual viewings
in the first instance, viewings by appointment only, maintaining social
distancing, and following all hygiene guidance.

Purchasers can also now arrange for a tradesperson to carry out
inspections. This should again be carried out by appoint and only one person at
a time where possible. No tradespeople should enter a property where a member
of the household is showing signs of coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating.

Removals

Removal firms can operate but they must adhere to Government
guidance which states how and when work can be carried out in people’s homes.

As of 29 June, the property market has taken its first step of
re-opening in all of the UK. It is important to understand that this is only
the first step of easing restrictions and that social distancing, public health
advice, and all Government guidance must be followed to ensure everyone’s
safety.

While the property market slowly starts moving again, use this
time to ensure that your property is sale ready by completing the Property Information Questionaire.

USEFUL
LINKS

Gov.uk — Advice on home moving during
the COVID-19 outbreak

Source:
Property Mark Website 24/01/2021 Property
viewings and moves in light of COVID-19 - Propertymark