Today Parliament will vote on whether the national lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday will indeed come into force at 00:01am tomorrow.
Whilst the logistics of the new lockdown was still being worked out, rules and guidance have been coming out regularly since Saturday.
With the vote only a couple of hours away, further guidance has been issued regarding the property market, which will fall under the ‘Exceptions To Leaving Home‘.
The regulations say, individuals may leave home:
“…to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property…
“(i) visiting estate of letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;
“(ii) viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent;
“(iii) preparing a residential property to move in;
“(iv) moving house;
“(v) visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.”
Agents will need to ensure that Covid-secure guidelines are still met.
Timothy Douglas, Policy and Communications Manager at Propertymark, says:
“Following the laying of regulations for national lockdown measures in England we are very pleased that the hard work of our members and the importance of the property sector has been recognised with exceptions in the rules for home moves as well as visits to branches and allowing agents to visit property to undertake any required activities.
“This is of course, subject to approval by Parliament. However, at this stage all the indications are that buying, selling and renting a home will continue and must be done in a Covid secure way and in accordance with the guidance.
“We will keep members updated throughout the coming days and weeks.”
This is good news for the property sector who at the moment are dealing with unprecedented demand as buyers and sellers rush to complete their property transaction whilst the SDLT holiday is still in effect.
How have you dealt with clients who have needed more reassurance during this time?
