Can I move house now? UK housing market to restart as viewings, moving home and visiting estate agents now legal
HOME movers in England are now allowed to view and move properties as the coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased.
The property market has dramatically stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with 57 per cent of sales falling through during March and April, according to BriefYourMarket.com.
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But now, as the Government looks to slowly lift lockdown, the property market is once again allowed to operate from today.
The Government says this will help the 450,000 people whose home moves have been interrupted by the restrictions, as well as the up to 300,000 people's whose rental tenancies expire each month.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: "Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process from viewings to removals.
"Our step by step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved.
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"This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so."
Here's how it will work if you're hoping or having to move home during lockdown:
Can I view a house that I want to rent or buy?
Since the government announced restrictions on the property market, many sellers and agents have been offering virtual tours during lockdown.
But as of today, buyers and tenants in England are once again allowed to view properties in person.
That said, the government says viewings should happen virtually in the first instance.
In person, viewings will have to be by appointment only with no open house dates. Speculative viewings where neither party is serious are "seriously discouraged".
If a viewing is in person, agents, buyers and sellers will have to follow strict social distancing measures.
For example, sellers should vacate properties for viewings, standing in the garden where possible, and ensuring all doors are open and that surfaces, including doorhandles, are thoroughly cleaned.
Meanwhile, buyers and agents have been told to wash their hands upon entering properties.
Anyone self-isolating has also been told not to move home during this period, and to not let people inside their homes for viewings.
It comes as house builder Taylor Wimpey, for example, has revealed plans to reopen show homes from May 22 - but viewings will be by appointment only.
Are estate agents' offices open?
Estate agent branches closed on March 23, along with retailers and beauty salons following Government orders for all non-essential shops to temporarily close.
But from today, offices are allowed to reopen making them the first type of high street store to do so.
This doesn't mean that all estate agent branches will be open as usual though, as it's up to each employer to work out how they can do so safely for both its staff and customers.
The Government has also advised employees who can work from home to continue to do so, so services may still be limited.
If you're considered to be vulnerable or high-risk of infection, you might want to ask if you can continue to get a virtual tour of the property you're looking to move to.
People who fall into this category are still advised by the Government to self-isolate.
Can I be evicted during lockdown?
THE rules on evictions hasn't changed, even though lockdown restrictions on the housing industry have been eased.
Boris Johnson has banned tenant evictions to stop renters getting booted out in a new coronavirus law.
The PM told MPs that the tough new measures would support workers and ensure no one would be evicted during the crisis.
The plans will see landlords unable to evict tenants for at least a three-month period.
Those renting out properties will then be able to claim from the three month mortgage payment holiday plan to support themselves.
Once this ends, landlords and tenants will be expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan.
Housing associations will also not evict tenants who are affected by the virus and fall behind on rent payments, Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations in England, said.
"No one should be evicted because of the coronavirus,” she said.
"We are confident that no housing association will do this, and want anyone affected by the outbreak to be reassured they will not be evicted.
"As charitable organisations housing associations recognise that a number of people living in social housing work for low or irregular wages in insecure employment and may be placed in serious difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We urge anyone living in a housing association home who is worried about financial difficulties to get in touch with their housing association."
People living in council homes are advised to take similar steps.
Are conveyancers, surveyors and developers open for business?
When you buy a house, you'll need to pay a conveyancer to transfer the legal title of the property from one person to another.
As conveyancers are able to operate remotely, they have continued to carry out their work from home during lockdown.
Surveyors - professionals who inspect the property's condition - were also ordered to stop carrying out inspections due to coronavirus.
Even though they haven't been specifically mentioned in the Government's announcement, many surveyors have said that they will be back up and running from today.
Further guidance on exactly how these can be carried out safely is expected to be released in the coming days.
During lockdown, many banks were carrying out automated valuations, without physically inspecting the house so they could continue to lend.
It's not clear yet whether the banks will continue in this way.
Developers are also allowed to reopen offices but they will also have to follow strict social guidance rules.
Can I use a removal firm to help me move?
Removal firms are now allowed to help people move house - but they will need to practise social distancing wherever possible.
The British Association of Removers (BAR) has been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to come up with a set of guidelines that firms across the industry must follow before going back to work safely, which will be published later today.
The organisation has already issued a guide to how it recommends removal companies to operate.
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A statement from BAR said "that a cautious approach to returning to operational activity may now be possible" but all firms must "take all appropriate measures to mitigate any associated risks."
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What are the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Lifting lockdown is a devolved issue and moving house and viewing properties is still not allowed to be carried out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Both Scotland and Wales are encouraging home movers to delay doing so where possible.