Government advice in connection with moving home

Notwithstanding the further restrictions imposed earlier this week, you are still allowed to move home.  However, the process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different, as all of those involved in the process will need to adapt practices and procedures.

The Government advice is that in order to minimise public risks and allow home moves to happen as safely as possible, the following measures should be followed:-

• Initial viewings should be done virtually wherever this is possible and Estate Agents should help you to do this.
• All physical viewings should be arranged by appointment only and open house viewings should not take place. You shouldn’t view any properties if you have any Covid19 symptoms or are self-isolating.
• When physically viewing properties, where possible you should avoid touching surfaces, and wash your hands with soap and water before entering the property or use hand sanitiser.
• The number of people attending a viewing at one time should be restricted so that physical distancing can be practised. You should only be accompanied to viewings with members of your current household and/ or your Estate Agent. If you need to be accompanied by young children, you should try to stop them touching surfaces and ensure they wash their hands regularly.
• If people are being shown around or working in your current home while you are still living there, you should open all internal doors and ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned before and after each viewing with standard household cleaning products.
• Where possible, the Government recommendation is that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place, unless you are conducting the viewing. This is in order to minimise the contact with those not in your household.
• When moving between properties, you and those in your household should try to do as much of the packing yourselves as you can. Where this is not possible, you should speak to removal firms in advance. While the removers are in your home, you should ensure any internal doors are open and seek to minimise your contact with the crew by following Government guidance on physical distancing. If you are moving in to or out of a property which has common areas and/ or shared access, physical distancing and relevant public health advice should be followed. You should avoid asking friends or relatives from a different household to come into your house to help you move, where at all possible.
• If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, then speak to the professionals involved such as the Estate Agent and removers, as they may be able to put in place extra measures.
• Everyone involved in any aspect of the moving process must follow Government guidelines on physical distancing, hand washing and use of face coverings, to minimise the spread of the virus. You should also keep up to date with current advice on keeping yourself and others safe.

Steps in the moving home process

Preparing to buy, sell or move home

You can put your home on the market and start to look for properties you want to move into.  You can begin to market your home and Estate Agents are able to visit to take photos or videos of the property (unless any member of the household being viewed is showing symptoms or is self-isolating). You can also start to bring together the documents necessary to sell your property and the Survey and Home Report can also be carried out.

If you are buying a new build property, you should make contact with the housebuilder in the usual way. You should be able to view the show home or visit the particular property you are interested in purchasing by appointment only and in accordance with the public health guidelines.  The developer or builder may also have their own procedures and you should check with them before viewing.

Making Offers

You are free to make an offer or reserve a property as normal. 

There is a greater risk that parties may need to delay their move because someone is showing symptoms of Covid19 or self-isolating and you can discuss this with your solicitor.

Prospective purchasers may wish to visit a property again once Missives have been concluded, for example, to measure up.  Where this has been agreed, the advice on prioritising virtual visits, hygiene measures, maintaining physical distancing at all times and mitigating contact should be followed.  Equally, if you want to send in trade people to carry out inspections once Missives are concluded, these should if possible, be scheduled with one person visiting the property at any one time.

Hopefully, you have found this summary of the Government guidelines to be of assistance and do not hesitate to contact our property department if you wish us to take the steps necessary to put your property on the market, or if you are looking to put an offer in.