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Changing Home's Guide to Safe Moving

Changing Home’s Guide to Safe Moving

We recognise that in these difficult times, people still want to move house. We’re here to help you through every stage.

In England, you can now move home, whether buying or renting. Things will be different of course, with strict hygiene measures including social distancing.

 The following is adapted from Government guidelines provided on 14 May 2020. You can read them in full on the gov.uk website (link below). They recognise the good progress made to date, the need to stay alert to contain the virus and save lives, and how by continuing into the next phase with utmost care, we don’t undo what’s been achieved so far.

We’ve provided a number of links which have been recommended by the Government, to further help you at the end of this document.

 Making the ‘sales process’ safer 

All parties need to be flexible and be prepared to reschedule moves if someone becomes ill with coronavirus. And with the situation changing daily, it’s important to follow revised Government guidelines at all times.

Moving home involves considerable interaction between buyers, sellers, landlords and renters as well as agents, legal representatives, surveyors and often, tradespeople. Therefore we have to adapt. Working together we can achieve this, and of course some moves may be lower risk e.g. if a property is empty.

About you

If you’re vulnerable or shielding (received a letter advising you’re clinically vulnerable)

·      Let all parties know your status. They may be able to introduce further precautionary measures to protect you.

·      Be aware of medical advice guidelines about staying at home and avoiding unnecessary contacts. 

·      All parties should agree to change move dates, including those in a chain.

·      Consider how a move may affect you. You might want to seek medical advice before going ahead. 

·      Any travel required should be by your own transport to avoid contact with others.

If you’re self-isolating or have tested positive for coronavirus

·      You shouldn’t move if you pose a direct risk of transmitting coronavirus. Self-isolate with your family and don’t leave home to move or undertake property viewings.

·      If contractually committed to move, delay it until all members of your household have completed self-isolation. 

·      All parties should agree to change move dates, including those in a chain.

·      If moving is essential, say due to an urgent health and safety risk, please contact Public Health England/local public health teams for advice.

The move

Preparing to buy, sell or move home

·      If any member of your household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, agents shouldn’t visit the property (you can discuss a virtual valuation).

·      To market your home, estate agents can visit to take photographs etc but social distancing guidelines etc should be followed at all times.

·      Try to do the majority of property searching online and only physically view properties you’re most likely to want to move into.

·      Prepare all necessary documentation to sell your property as early as possible.

·      If buying a new build property, contact the developer. You should be able to view the show home or visit a particular plot by appointment.

Viewings

·      Viewings should be by appointment only. ‘Open house’ viewings aren’t allowed.

·      Don’t host a viewing if anyone in your or the viewer’s household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating. Arrange virtual viewings where possible.

·      The host should open all internal doors beforehand and allow access to handwashing facilities, including separate towels/paper towels.

·      A host should try to vacate a property during viewings, to minimise contact.

·      At viewings, all parties should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces.

·      The number of people viewing a property should be minimal and from the same household. 

·      Where agents accompany viewers, social distancing rules should be followed. Where viewings are unaccompanied, agents should advise viewers and homeowners how they should conduct themselves.

·      After a viewing, the homeowner should ensure surfaces such as door handles, are cleaned with standard household cleaning products and towels disposed of safely or washed as appropriate.

Making offers or reservations

·      You’re free to make or accept an offer, or reserve a property as normal.

·      A move may be delayed because someone is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.  Your legal adviser should advise of this and help ensure contracts or agreements are as flexible as possible.

·      If prospective purchasers wish to re-visit a property, for example, to measure up, the above advice about viewings should again be followed.

·      Where tradespeople carry out inspections they should ideally be scheduled with one person visiting at any time. No tradespeople should enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating. The occupier should maintain social distancing at all times, washing their hands regularly and minimising contact, say by staying in another room. 

Property searches and surveys

·      Legal representative should be able to carry out searches on your property online.

·      Surveyors can survey the property you wish to purchase but shouldn’t enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating.

·      Inspections should be by appointment only, with one person visiting the property at any time. Surveyors should follow government guidelines at all times. 

·      If your home is being surveyed, you should ensure the surveyor has access to all areas and you should minimise contact with them.

Agreeing to move

Exchanging contracts or signing a tenancy agreement means you have a legal agreement to move. 

·      All parties should be as flexible as possible and be prepared to delay a move if for example, someone becomes ill with coronavirus or has to self-isolate. You shouldn’t expect to move into a home where people are ill or self-isolating.

·      Legal advisers should be able to help ensure any contract you enter into has sufficient flexibility to allow the purchase to be delayed if someone contracts coronavirus or has to self-isolate.

Moving your belongings

·      Removal firms can operate but must adjust the way they work to ensure a move happens as safely as possible.

·      You should contact removal firms as early as possible in advance of your move.

·      Your household should do as much of the packing as possible. Where not possible, speak to your removal firms in advance.

·      You should try to clean your belongings, with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms.

·      Whilst removers are in your home, you should ensure any internal doors are open and minimise contact with them, staying at least two metres away.

·      All parties should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces. 

·      Refreshments should not be provided and you should ensure access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely afterwards.

Please check the following links:

Government guidance on moving home https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Medical advice https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Stay alert and safe https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

Cleaning https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

Social distancing https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

Safer working guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes

Guidance for professionals working in other people’s homes https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes