The Government has amended the coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations to make clear that people who wish to move home can do so.
This guidance provides important public health information to ensure that moving home and key activities around this, such as viewing property, can happen safely.
The following is a summary for your information, the full document is available here please take a moment to review it in full as it contains detailed information.
It is important that everyone knows how to stay alert, contain the virus and save lives.
To summarise the key advice to the public is:-
Vulnerable people or those shielding
We would encourage everyone in these categories who does intend to move, to make clear their status to all of the professionals involved in the process. They may be able to implement additional precautionary measures to further protect you.
People self-isolating or having tested positive for coronavirus
Moving home is not appropriate whilst you pose a direct risk of transmitting coronavirus. People who have coronavirus or are self-isolating with their family member should not leave their home to either move home, or undertake property viewings.
Should a move be essential for people in this category, for instance due to an urgent health and safety risk, please contact Public Health England/local public health teams for advice.
What does this mean for my property move or purchase which is scheduled whilst measures to fight coronavirus apply?
People are free to move home, however the process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different, as those involved in the process will need to adapt practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spread of coronavirus is reduced as far as possible. It is vital that everyone stays alert and safe.
Full details are available here
Everyone involved in the moving process must follow social distancing to minimise the spread of the virus.
Viewings
People should use virtual viewings before visiting properties in person where possible, in order to minimise public health risks. If any member of either the household being viewed, or the household undertaking a viewing is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then a physical viewing should be delayed. All viewings should take place by appointment and only involve members of a single household.
Making offers or reservations
You are free to make or accept an offer or reserve a property as normal.
Property searches and surveys
Your legal representative should be able to carry out searches on your property online in order to progress your transaction and you can contact them to discuss likely timescales. Your surveyor can undertake surveys of the property you wish to purchase, however surveyors should not enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.
Agreeing to move
Once you have agreed to move home by exchanging contracts or signing a tenancy agreement, you have entered into a legal agreement to move. We encourage all parties to be as flexible as possible over this period and be prepared to delay moves if needed, for example if someone becomes ill with coronavirus during the moving process or has to self-isolate. You should not expect to move into any home where people are ill or self-isolating.
Moving your belongings
Removal firms are able to operate, although they may need to adjust usual procedures in order to ensure moves happen as safely as possible.