As England prepares to be under lockdown at least until mid-February, tenants and home buyers face a dilemma about their moving plans. Most of them aren’t sure if moving homes is allowed as per the latest lockdown guidelines. If you are one of them, don’t worry; you can move homes during the lockdown in England. However, you must be aware of certain revised rules and restrictions that we have explained in this article.
The current scenario
Currently, buyers and renters are free to move to new properties by practising safety regulations, such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and practising social distancing measures. If you are a buyer or a renter, you can also make use of the services of removal firms, as they are open to customers. However, you should be mindful of the fact that property agents and real estate professionals might have changed some of their operations due to COVID regulations.
Rules for viewings
For initial viewings, the Government has mandated people to conduct virtual viewings. Property agents and home buyers and renters should bear this point in mind. This way, you can avoid close contact with others, and reduce your risk to COVID-19. Take a thorough look at the property, and opt for a personal visit only if you seriously consider buying or renting that property.
If a virtual viewing is not possible, you should ensure that you take complete safety precautions while visiting the property that you want to view. Always talk to your property agent in advance, and book an appointment for your viewing to avoid contact with many people.
When you are viewing a property, avoid touching the surfaces, doors and handles there. Keep sanitisers handy with you, and wash your hands regularly. It is highly recommended that you don’t take many people with you to view a property. Always wear a face mask while viewing a property. Property agents should accompany homebuyers or renters during these viewings. However, social distancing should be followed at all times.
Moving homes may take longer
Please don’t expect to move into a property quickly just because you liked it, and have accepted the offer for the same. If a person involved in the dealing shows the slightest symptoms of COVID-19, he has to self-isolate for 14 days, or until he recovers completely. This process can get delayed because of these isolation processes. You can proceed with the dealing only after the isolation process is completed.
Inspects are allowed
If you like a property and plan to move in soon, you might want home inspectors to check the property for any flaws. Are you worried if you can have access to these inspection services while moving homes in England? Yes, you can get tradespeople to inspect the property that you are interested in. However, ensure that all the people living in the property are free from COVID-19 symptoms before you let tradespeople in. Also, during the entire inspection process, you should maintain social distancing to keep contact to the minimum possible extent.
Yes, you can move homes during the lockdown in England; however, you should follow all the regulations mentioned by the Government, so that you can keep yourself and your family safe during this pandemic.
