RENTERS can still move home despite a second national lockdown, the Government has announced.
You can: View a property, use a removal firm to help you move house and allow tradespeople into the home – providing of course that social distancing and other Covid rules are adhered to.
Confirmation that the housing marketing will remain open during the month-long Lockdown 2, which sees a continuation of the ‘stay at home’ advice and the closure of non-essential retail until Wednesday 2 December, has been confirmed by Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Here’s what is still allowed during lockdown
- renters and homeowners will still be able to move
- removal firms and estate agents can operate
- construction sites can and should continue
- tradespeople will be able to enter homes
- visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes
- preparing a residential property to move in to
- viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent.
Where ‘in-person’ house viewings are allowed, they should be arranged by appointment and be accompanied by an agent. Social distancing measures must be adopted during view, with all parties washing their hands on entering the property.
Viewers are advised to bring their own hand sanitisers and try to avoid touching surfaces; wearing a face covering is also advisable – particularly if the two-metre rule is difficult to adhere to.
After the viewing, the property owner or tenant should clean surfaces and door handles, and wash towels. Read more advice here.
I need a plumber / electrician / other tradesperson to carry out work in my property
Hands – Face – Space; while they are still allowed to enter your property, tradespeople like plumbers, electricians, domestic appliance repairer etc must adhere to the Government’s safer working guidance and ensure they operate safely with strict social distancing measures in place.
Tradespeople should
- Contact the household in advance to check that no member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating. If they are, works should be delayed.
- Not carry out work if they have coronavirus symptoms, however mild.
- Wash their hands on entering the property. They need to use separate towels or paper towels, which need to be washed or disposed of safely after use.
- Minimise contact with homeowners and remain 2 metres apart from householders at all times.
- If they can, implement a buddy system and ensure that the same people work together where this is needed.
- Bring their own refreshments, but households should ensure they have access to handwashing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely afterwards.
For more information about moving home during lockdown, we are happy to help. Please feel free to contact a member of the lettings team
