The property market is re-opening BUT how different will it be?
With news this week that the housing market can re-open BUT with additional guidance we take a look the detail and at what that means if you are thinking of moving home.
This week the government amended the coronavirus regulations to make it clear that people who wish to move home can do so. The housing market, in England, can now begin to re-open bringing relief to home-movers around the country.
Of course, this is really exciting and great news for home-movers who have been desperate to get moving and the team are all eager to get back to doing what we love and start helping you move home.
BUT…
It is important that everyone knows how to STAY ALERT, CONTAIN THE VIRUS AND SAVE LIVES. Over recent weeks and as a nation our fight with the virus has been hard fought and hard won, we mustn’t undo all the hard work we have done to get us to this point.
As one if the first industries to be given the green light it is imperative that we get this right for everyone and we must proceed with the utmost care.
Therefore, we are implementing some major changes to the way we conduct viewings and valuations to ensure the safety of the team, you and the occupier of the home, in line with the latest government guidance.
In this article we will highlight what changes have been made and what you can now do:
- Preparing to buy, sell or move home
- Viewings
- Making Offers or Applying to Rent
- Property Searches and Surveys
- Agreeing to move
- Tradespeople
- Conveyancers
- Removal Firms
- Letting Agents & Private Landlords
1. Preparing to buy, sell or move home
You can now begin to put your home on the market and begin to look for properties you want to move into, although we would advice that you only physically view the properties that you feel BEST suit your requirments.
We are now able to visit to take photos/video and prepare the property for sale/let.
We would encourage ALL potential clients to have a Social Distancing Valuation in the first instance along with a virtual meeting keeping you safe and giving you an oppurtunity to ask us as many questions about how we will help you before physically viewing the property.
To arrange for a Social Distancing Valuation - CLICK HERE
2. Viewings
Whilst it is great news that we are able to do viewings again we of course need to exercise some caution and we have put some steps in place for viewings.
In order to minimise the risk to public health we will be initially doing a "Virtual Viewing" of the property before a physical viewing. All properties available have a detailed internal video and we will walk you through (virtually) the property highlighting the features and giving you a chance to ask us questions about the property itself.
Physical viewings will only take place after the initial virtual viewing and only for those seriously considering making an offer or application.
All viewings will be be strictly by appointment and only involve members of a single household.
To give confidence to all parties present at the viewing that the guidance is being followed, and to help us manage the viewing in the most efficient way possible, you will be asked to complete a handful of questions before your viewing such as:
- Has anyone in your household had COVID-19?
- Has anyone in your household displayed COVID-19 symptoms or not yet completed a required period of household self-isolation?
- Are you in the high-risk category?
The current owner, or tenants, of the property you’re going to view will have also completed these questions, as will the agent if they’ll be present on the viewing, so don’t be afraid to check with us if you are worried.
We have outlined the steps that we are implementing on viewings and valuations in the link below: Simply click to read our guidelines on "How to View A Property Safely".
3. Making Offers or Applying to Rent
Making an offer to purchase or applying to rent a property are still very much acceptable and this continues as normal. Tenants will be required to complete an application form after the virtual viewing and before any physical viewing.
There is a greater risk that you may need to delay your move if someone in the household develops symptoms of coronavirus or are self-isolating. Your conveyancer should make sure that any contracts or agreements are as felxible as possible to allow for any unforseen circumstances.
4. Property Searches and Surveys
Searches for your prospective purchase can be carried out online and you should contact your conveyancer for more information on timeframes.
Surveyors have started carrying out appointments again which means sales agreed during lockdown can now progress with mortgage applications. Surveyors should not enter a property where one member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus. Appointments will be have an agreed time and date in advance and all surveyors will be following the guidance for professionals working in other people's homes as well as social distancing.
If you are having a survey done you should ensure the surveyor has access to all the parts of the property they need to inspection and make every effor to minimise contact with the surveyor.
5. Agreeing to Move
We are encouraging all our clients and all parties involved to be as flexible as possible over the coming weeks or months and to be prepared for delays in the move.
6. Tradespeople
For many of us we have been waiting to get some essential works done at home or to make general improvements to your home. Tradespeople are now able to carrying out these improvements and maintenance as required.
Contractors should follow the social distancing guidance and should contact the household prior to their appointments to ensure that no-one in the household is showing any signs of coronavirus.
7. Conveyancers
Most solicitors and conveyancers have continued to provide a vital service during lockdown. Many have switched to online or remote working and have adapted their business to ensure a continuity of service.
We recommend you get in touch with you local conveyancer to find out what measures they have in place and how your transaction may differ.
8. Removal Firms
Removal firms are able to operate freeing up and allowing more home-movers greater flexibility to conduct their move. Firms will be following social distancing and safer working ploicies.
9. Letting Agents & Private Landlords
The safety and well-being of our tenants has always been our first priority. At the start of lockdown the government put measures in place to protect tenants during the coronavirus pandemic, these are still in place and means that until the 30th September 2020, most landlords will not be able to start possession proceedings unless they have given their tenants three months notice.
Viewings cannot go ahead on a property where the tenant is shielding or showing symptoms of coronavirus .
Viewings on tenant occupied properties can go ahead (with the permission of the tenant), however we would encourage landlords to think sensibly about the need for; and carrying out viewings where a tenant is still in place and paying rent. Instead it is worth considering waiting till the tenant has vacated the property.
Safety regulations for gas and electrical (changing in June 2020 - see previous article) are still mandatory and landlords and lettings agents should make every effort to continue with these. If you are unable to fulfill your requirements due to the tenant self-isolating or showing symptoms of coronavirus, a detailed record of your efforts should be kept.
Landlords should take steps to ensure that the properties are prepared and ready for a new tenancy and should follow the measures outlined above. This may include cleaning between tenancies to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
In Summary
There are some quite large changes to the way the industry now needs to conduct business and it will require consideration, effort and empathy from all parties involved to ensure the safety of everyone as well as providing a service to allow people to move home.
Positively, we are moving, albeit with additional precautions in place and rightly so.
Our office will remain closed to the public apart from collecting keys, and this will be strictly by appointment only and guidance will be issued directly to the client on the day.
Over the years we have implemented industry leading technology to allow us to work remotely with intelligent integrated systems which has allowed us to continue to provide a full service (where allowed) to our clients. The team will continue to work remotely from home and are fully available via email and phone on all the usual numbers.
Should you have any concerns or questions, simply get in touch, the team and I are here to help.
Stay Alert and Stay Safe.
Andrew & all the team.
Sales & Lettings Director