When the first national lockdown was announced in spring of this year, the government asked house buyers to put their purchases on hold, and estate agents were forced to close their branches.

However, for the new lockdown, the property market is to remain open, and while the UK adheres to the latest ‘stay at home’ order, which is expected to last until at least 2 December, and some estate agents may be closing offices to drop-ins, in-person property viewings, valuations and surveys can still take place in line with COVID-secure guidelines, reports This Is Money.

Along with estate agents, construction workers, and tradespeople permitted to continue working as normal, so can removal, property signage and cleaning companies, as they are essential to end-of-tenancy moving, renting and selling homes.

Home renovations and improvements can go ahead as builders can continue to enter properties, and builders’ merchants and hardware stores will remain open.

 

Can I move house during Lockdown 2.0?

Yes, and you can hire services such as removals companies, car or van rentals and end of tenancy cleaning, however, you cannot enlist the help of friends if it involves them entering the property.

 

Will viewings and surveys be allowed?

In-person viewings and surveying can continue in line with COVID-secure guidelines. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website says: “Where appropriate, professional surveying services can continue, in a safe and secure manner.”

 

What has the Government said about moving during lockdown?

The government advice is that people should work from home if they can do so.

“Where people cannot do so (for instance people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing) they should continue to travel to work/attend their workplace.”

The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that the housing market will remain open and that mortgage holidays, which had been due to end on 31 October, would be extended.

 

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