It was announced earlier in the week that Scotland is entering into a new lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. Although many businesses have been instructed to close, one industry remains open – the property market.
The current guidance states that all activities in connection with moving home, including property viewings, are permitted to take place. It also includes maintenance, purchase, sale, letting or residential property. The full guidelines are available here.
Marketing your home
Under the current guidelines you are able to put your home up for sale and seek a property to either purchase or rent. However, if you or any member of your household has either symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test, you must not leave your home for any reason.
Estate agents can take photographs, measure for floorplans and take video footage of your home for marketing purposes and all conveyancing solicitors and mortgage brokers/lenders are still working as usual in order to enable the sale or purchase of a property.
Buying a home
For those looking to buy a home, it is recommended that you first look at the details online and take advantage of online tours. Only if you are seriously considering making an offer, should you visit the property in person and speculative viewings are strongly deterred.
If you do need to arrange a physical viewing of a home, make sure you wear a mask throughout the viewing, avoid asking any questions in person, avoid touching any surfaces and door handles (all doors should be open) and you should wash your hands before and after entering the property. It’s advisable that you visit the home with no more than one person from your household and avoid taking any children with you. Make sure you make an appointment as ‘open houses’ are not permitted. When in the property with an agent, make sure you retain a two-metre distance at all times.
All lenders are working as per usual so you should still be able to seek and apply for a mortgage. Talk to your broker to find out the timescales and to discuss any likely delays.
Selling a home
If you are selling a property during this time, make sure that you keep all doors and windows open when a viewing is arranged. Make sure you are not at home and reiterate to the agent that prospective buyers should not touch any door handles or surfaces. It is a good idea to leave hand sanitiser at the entrance or ask your agent to provide this to prospective buyers.
Moving home
You can still book a removals firm to help you move home, but to minimise any transmission of Covid it is recommended that you pack your belongings yourselves to avoid your items being handled by anyone else. When the removals team is in your home, keep a safe distance of at least two metres and wash your hands regularly. Try and book as early as possible as they are very busy in many areas and could be short staffed due to the isolation rules. When you unpack make sure everything is wiped down.
Are there delays?
If you’re moving home during lockdown there could be delays in the conveyancing process because some solicitors and agents may be operating at limited capacity or clearing a backlog caused by not only the pandemic but also the festive period. If you are about to enter into a legally binding contract, you should discuss the possible implications if someone has to self-isolate or quarantine. Ask about the protocols in place to manage these risks. Should anyone in your household experience symptoms just as you’re about to complete, you should postpone things by a few weeks.
Can tradespeople come out to my home to carry out work?
The current rules allow tradespeople to carry out essential work in your home, provided they have no coronavirus symptoms, do not have a positive Covid test result and are following all the necessary safety guidance. However, if you are due to have a tradesman enter your home, ask if they have symptoms and double check that they will be using PPE.
We are on-hand to offer advice on all aspects of obtaining a mortgage or remortgaging your home. Talk to our friendly team today.