MOVING HOUSE?
You may have read in the press that house moving can happen again. People are allowed once again to take steps to put their houses on the market, view houses and then physically move, even in non essential cases.
This update is further to detailed government guidance to let all our sellers and buyers know how this has to be done till further notice.
– All social distancing measures must be in place, such as keeping 2m apart and limited contact with strangers. This means photographers will be in houses ideally alone with sellers waiting in garden or out on walks.
– Viewings must first be done virtually (using our video tours) to narrow down only a couple of houses the buyer is interested in. No more roaming around 10 houses being nosey! Then viewings will only be with one household at a time, with homeowner opening the door and then leaving the house, followed by homeowner cleaning every door handle and surface after each and every set of viewers. Generally higher levels of hygiene will be needed. No group viewings will be allowed.
- Offers will be handled in the normal way and customers dropping off passports for anti-money laundering checks can take place via appointment to our office. The government guidelines are clear (and supports our own decision) that our office door will remain closed to the public and will only allow customers in with pre-arranged appointments. More hand washing, sanitising and office cleaning will be taking place. Less staff will be working at the office at any one time to reduce transmission of any viruses.
– More solicitors are starting work again. We hear lenders have started instructing surveys and valuers once again. We expect mortgage offers to be issued from next week onwards. So hooray the chains of conveyancing are moving again!
– We will continue to chase chains during conveyancing as we have done during lockdown.
– Finally on day of completion of sale, buyers and sellers will be allowed to physically move, preferably packing themselves. Where that is not possible, you may use a removal company. However, there will be extra social distancing or cleaning requirements. Please check with your removals company for their guidance. We would recommend people leave their houses by 10am and hire a cleaning company with specialist equipment to sanitise the house with specialist products that kill viruses. If you don't have your own, I recommend Clint Parr from First Time Clean, who has invested in such equipment and has been sanitising offices during this COVID-19. He will be sanitising our Belvoir office. Then the new owners will be able to move in knowing the house is virus free.
If you fancy reading government advice – here it is!
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
If you are looking to sell your house, please be in touch on 01782 478444 (option 1 for sales)
Thank you
Ramona Hirschi
Managing Director
