Moving home during COVID-19

Mon 20 April 2020

Once the Government introduced measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus, many people were left wondering where they stood in relation to moving to their new home.

The Government advice suggests that there is no need for anyone to withdraw from any transactions and encourages all parties to be flexible and accommodating.  This might include delaying the moving date until the stay-at-home guidance has been lifted.

If you are moving to an empty property, the Government suggests you can continue with your move provided you follow their guidance on home removals.

For occupied properties, it is recommended that all parties agree to delay the moving date until the Government confirms it is safe for the move to take place. There are exemptions for critical home moves.

The Government has looked to ease the pressure by: 

• Creating guidance for home buyers and those involved in the transaction
• Asking banks and building societies to extend the expiry date of mortgage offers
• Developing a standard legal practice with the help of conveyancers for completion dates.

Marketing properties

Agents are able to market new and existing instructions effectively even if they are not based in branch. RH & RW Clutton’s agents are working remotely and are making use of all available tools to ensure that properties are well presented to the market. Our properties are listed on our own website www.rhrwclutton.com as well as OnTheMarket, Zoopla and Rightmove and we are having great success in promoting properties on our social media pages.

If you are not quite ready to list your property for sale or for rental, do make use of this time to complete any redecorations, repairs or maintenance. You can also look into choosing a conveyancer and contact an agent for a market appraisal. Our Estate Agents or Letting Agents would be delighted to carry out a market appraisal of your property via video call.

We would strongly advise you take plenty of photographs of your property during the Spring weather which may be useful for marketing later in the year when the weather is less favourable.

Viewings

As of 26 March 2020, the current public health guidance confirms that in-person viewings are not permitted and should be delayed. RH & RW Clutton is working with clients to provide virtual tours or to offer viewings carried out by video call.

Agreeing a sale

Offers can still be made and sales can still be agreed on properties. Many conveyancers are operating remotely and may be able to carry out searches using local authority websites.

Removal companies

Whilst guidance suggests that home moves should be delayed where possible, removers should honour their existing bookings where it is clear that the move date cannot be delayed.

Anyone involved in the removal should follow the Government guidance which clearly explains how and when work can be carried out in people’s homes, provided the contractor is well and has no symptoms.

If you would like further information, please contact our letting agent, Sam Benson on SamB@rhrwclutton.co.uk or our Head of Residential Agency, Peter Hughes on PeterH@rhrwclutton.co.uk .

For the Government’s full advice on moving home please visit their webpage.

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