Retford
Housing Market to stay open during lockdown
What can you do during the lockdown?
As England is in a new lockdown, the latest official
guidance says that you are still able to move home throughout the lockdown, as
long as you follow strict safety guidelines.
Can
I move home?
Yes, the government’s official guidance says you can still move home and
estate agents have been told they can continue to work.
In the latest guidance it says that carrying out
activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential
property are reasonable excuses to leave home.
But the most important thing is that you follow the
guidance to help everyone stay safe, and throughout last year agents changed
how they operate to keep to these safety guidelines.
If you are already in the process of moving, people
outside your household or support bubble should not help you move home unless
it’s absolutely necessary.
Key
things to consider are:
Use virtual viewings of properties where possible
Properties should be unoccupied when physical viewings
take place
Follow government advice on social
distancing during a viewing
The wearing of masks by all parties during a viewing
Practice good hand hygiene and ‘touch free’ viewings
Thoroughly clean properties before and after viewings
Can
I put my home on the market?
Yes, you can put your home on the market and look for
properties to buy or rent. However, if you or any member of your household is
showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then estate agents and
potential buyers should not visit your property in person.
Estate agents can still visit to take photos of your
property, but of course, they need to follow the appropriate safety guidance.
As usual, you should also start to gather together the necessary documents to
sell your home.
To help prevent the spread of infection, the government
recommends that you carry out initial property searches online, and only visit
a property in person when you are seriously considering making an offer on it.
If you’re planning to buy a new-build property, you
should contact the developer. You should be able to make an appointment to view
the show home or visit the particular plot you are interested in purchasing.
Can
I go on a property viewing?
Yes, if you’re looking to move home, you can continue
going to viewings during lockdown.
But you should if possible ask for a virtual viewing
first. It’ll reduce the number of viewings you have to go on, which will help
minimise the spread of germs.
It could also save you time, because you’ll have a better
idea of whether a house is worth seeing or not.
When viewing a property in person, make sure you wear a
face mask, avoid touching surfaces, and wash your hands or use sanitiser before
and after.
There shouldn’t be more than two households within the
property at any one time, and viewings should only be arranged by appointment,
so ‘open houses’ aren’t happening at the moment.
If you’re selling your home and are having interested
buyers come around to have a look, open all the inside doors beforehand so they
don’t have to touch the door handles.
It’s recommended that you’re not in the property during
the viewing, and that you disinfect all surfaces after.
Can
I book a removals firm?
Yes, removals firms are still able to do their jobs, but
again, providing that all parties follow the safety guidelines.
It’s advised, however, that you do as much of the packing
as you can yourself and give your belongings a quick spray or wipe-down with a
disinfectant before they’re handled by someone else.
When the removals team is around, do your best to
maintain distance and wash your hands regularly. Unfortunately you won’t be
able to offer them refreshments – which of course they’ll understand.
It’s also recommended that you book your removals company
as early as possible. In many areas they’re very busy and it may be a challenge
for you to find one available at a short notice.
I’m
in the middle of buying a home, should I expect any delays during lockdown?
It’s possible that in some areas the conveyancing process
will be slower than usual right now.
This is because some solicitors and agents may be
operating at limited capacity, or are very busy working through deals that have
stacked up since last year.
If you’re about to enter into a legally binding contract,
you should discuss the possible implications if someone has to self-isolate or
quarantine. Ask your legal representative if they can include provisions
to manage these risks in the contracts.
If someone in your household – or the other party’s – begins
to show any Covid or flu-like symptoms just as you’re about to complete, you
should postpone things by a few weeks.
The government says we should all remain flexible in this
sort of scenario, so it would be ideal if your contracts can reflect that.
I’m
a renter, can I still move home?
Yes, renters can still look for properties and move
homes.
Cleaners are also still allowed to carry out work in your
home, so if you need to bring in a professional cleaner before the end of your
tenancy, you’re allowed to do so.
Renters should follow the same safety guidance that
applies to buyers during this period, such as doing online viewings first, and
you can find the official advice in full, here.
Can
tradespeople come out to my home to carry out work?
The current rules do allow tradespeople to carry out work
in your home, as long as they have no coronavirus symptoms and are following
all the necessary safety guidance.
However, it’s worthwhile making sure you’ve covered all
bases to ensure you keep yourself, anyone else in your household, and the
people carrying out the works, safe.
For example, ahead of the work starting you should ask:
Does anyone involved have symptoms of the virus?
Is there anyone with underlying health conditions in the
property?
Are there any sick or elderly people living there who
could be affected?
Could anyone entering the property impact on the health
of anyone living in it?
Will anyone visiting, such as a surveyor or tradesperson,
be affected by working in my home?
Will all the people working in the home be wearing the
correct PPE (personal protective equipment)?
In addition, traders should not go to homes of anyone who
is self-isolating or at risk from the virus.
However, if the work you are having done is not urgent,
you may want to reschedule it for a more convenient time.
I’m
in the middle of a renovation, can it continue?
Yes, renovation work can still continue during this
lockdown period. Tradespeople are able to enter your home – providing all
parties follow the Covid safety guidance.
If anyone in your household is self-isolating or is
showing symptoms of the virus, all works should be rescheduled until it’s safe
to resume.
The same goes for any tradespeople due to be working in
your home.
To help ensure that all parties remain as safe as
possible during the renovation, you should:
Keep your distance from any visitors and avoid physical
contact
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at
least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitiser
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed
hands
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the
tissue in a bin and wash your hands
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and
surfaces in the home such as door handles, light switches and your kettle
Is
the housing market busier than usual?
The housing market has been extremely busy since it first
re-opened again in the middle of 2020, and this increased demand for property
has continued into the first few days of 2021.
Thanks for reading
The Good Estate Agent - North Nottinghamshire.
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