This guidance provides advice to those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home in accordance with step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown from 19 July 2021. Read the guidance on what you can and cannot do to keep safe.
Step 4 does not mark the end of the need for caution and restraint. At step 4, while many of the legal restrictions that the government has imposed through the pandemic will be lifted, guidance will remain, making it clear this is not yet a return to normal. While the virus continues to circulate, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. We will continue to manage the virus and provide guidance over the coming months.
General advice to industry and those moving home
We urge everyone involved in the home buying and selling process to continue to follow good hygiene practices Including regular hand-washing, sanitising, and cleaning. These measures will help prevent the spread of infection. You should consider when it may be appropriate to follow additional advisory social distancing measures. Read more on how to stop the spread of the virus.
How businesses can mitigate risk
All businesses should follow the government’s latest guidance for employers and businesses. Individual sector bodies may issue their own supplementary guidance in order to protect their members and their clients.
While government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer.
While offices are open to the public, businesses should advise customers of any COVID-19 procedures which will remain in place.
Property agents, conveyancers and other professionals may choose to retain some modifications to how they work, to reduce the risk from COVID-19. These changes could impact your move and may include initial virtual viewings before in-person viewings, asking you to vacate your current property during viewings, and ensuring your property is thoroughly cleaned before someone else views it or moves in. We would ask that you cooperate with these measures where they are in place.
Private rented and social housing sectors
Those renting a property, letting agents and landlords should be aware of and follow the government guidance on coronavirus and renting which contains further advice that may also be applicable such as on possession proceedings, repairs, maintenance and health and safety.
Self-isolating and quarantine
While much of step 4 will involve voluntary guidance, we are keeping a few key protections in place. This applies both to those moving home and those working in the industry.
- Those with symptoms should get tested.
- You must still isolate when you have tested positive for coronavirus, when contacted by NHS Test and Trace, or when advised to by the NHS COVID-19 app.
- This means you should not view or work in other people’s homes or offices for the duration of your isolation. Home moves can continue to take place virtually, if possible.
- There are some legal exceptions which still allow you to leave home. Read the guidance for those with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.
- You must follow the quarantine rules when entering England from countries rated as red, amber or green. Read the guidance on entering England.
Managing uncertainty
All parties involved in home buying and selling should prioritise agreeing amicable arrangements to change completion dates where someone in a chain or their family member is self-isolating or has tested positive for coronavirus.
Once you have exchanged contracts or signed a tenancy agreement, you have entered into a legal agreement to purchase or rent the property. We encourage all parties to be as flexible as possible and be prepared to delay moves if necessary, for example if someone involved in the transaction becomes ill with COVID-19 during the moving process, or has to self-isolate.
If you are about to enter into a legally binding contract, you should discuss the possible implications of COVID-19 with your legal professional and consider making contractual provisions or other necessary measures to manage these risks. You should not expect to immediately be able to move into any home where people have COVID-19 or are self-isolating. There is a greater risk that home moves may need to be delayed if someone in the transaction shows symptoms of COVID-19 or is self-isolating.
Clinically extremely vulnerable people
Those who identify as clinically extremely vulnerable are able to move home. However, they should consider their personal situation and the circumstances of their move and may wish to seek medical advice before deciding whether to commit to or go ahead with a move. Some moves are likely to be lower risk – for instance if the home is empty, all travel can take place in their own transport and they can avoid contact with others. Vulnerable people may require additional measures to help keep them safe. These could include, for example, a limit on the number of visitors or the wearing of face coverings. Read the guidance from 19 July for clinically extremely vulnerable people.
While most legal restrictions on contact with others are no longer in place, we still urge caution and personal responsibility in situations involving physical contact with others.
Face coverings
When viewing a home for sale, you may be asked by the occupier to wear a face covering. Some businesses such as estate agents may also ask you to wear a face covering when entering their premises.
Government expects and recommends that people continue to wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport or when in close contact indoors with large groups of people with whom you do not normally meet. Read the guidance on when and how to wear face coverings.
Viewings
Aside from self-isolation rules as detailed above, there are no legal limits on the households which may view a home in person. We would, however, continue to recommend that buyers take advantage of any opportunities to view homes remotely before committing to view in person.
It is important that everyone continues to follow the safe hygiene practices as described above. You should consider wearing a face covering while you are viewing a property. If you would like people to wear a face covering when they view your property, you should make this clear to your agent.
Tradespeople in the home
Tradespeople can continue to work in other people’s homes unless customers or tradespeople are self-isolating, as detailed above.
Members of the public should ensure their homes are clean and safe before tradespeople enter. This may involve cleaning items being carried by removals firms, wiping surfaces such as worktops and door handles, ensuring rooms are well ventilated and seeking to delay work if either party is showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Going further than this guidance
The above guidance describes the minimum best practices you should follow to help keep yourself and others safe.
If you want additional measures or reasonable conditions in place for your move, please talk to the appropriate business about how to proceed.
These measures could include, for example, requesting those visiting your home to wear face coverings as a condition of the sale. Sellers opening their home for viewings may want to place a cap on the number of visitors at any one time. These measures are at the discretion of the homeowner and we would ask you to accommodate their wishes.
Agents and other industry professionals should ensure their clients are aware of and comply with these additional requirements, where they do not discriminate against protected characteristics.
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