Moving House During the Covid-19 Lockdown 3

Posted by Coles Miller on 1st February 2021 -

We welcome the news from the government to keep the housing market open, subject to their guidance. Our professional team is ready and available to help you to move home safely.

What Is The Latest Government Guidance?

Anyone in England can move home if they follow the new guidance by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.. 

The government is urging everyone involved in the home moving market to adapt and be flexible by changing their usual processes. 

All those involved in the home moving process must ensure they minimise the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

The government has outlined these key steps:

• Initial viewings should be done virtually wherever possible.
• Members of the public who are visiting an agent’s office or viewing a property should wear a suitable face.
• Viewings should be arranged by appointment only and ‘open house’ viewings should not take place. When viewing properties in person, you should avoid touching surfaces wherever possible, wash your hands regularly and/or use hand sanitiser.
• Hotels, hostels and other such public accommodation can be used by people while moving home or who are unable to return to their main residence.  You must still ensure you stay only within your household and/or support bubble.
• Second homes and other private accommodation can be used by people while moving home or who are unable to return to their main residence. You must still ensure you stay only within your household and/or support bubble.
• If people are being shown around your home, you should open all internal doors and ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned after each viewing with standard household cleaning products.
• We recommend that you vacate your property while viewings are taking place in order to minimise unnecessary contact.
• Anyone involved in any aspect of the home-moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
• When moving between properties, you and those in your household should try to do as much of the packing yourself as you can. Where this is not possible, you should speak to removal firms in advance. There is further advice about this below.
• If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, then speak to your landlord, estate agent or removers as they may be able to put extra precautionary measures in place.
• Prioritise support for anyone who is clinically vulnerable, with symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating. Agree a new date to move if necessary.

We wish to reassure all of our clients that – where it is possible for conveyancing transactions to be undertaken – we are well placed to deal with them.

Our staff can work remotely. We have cutting-edge case management systems so we can work swiftly and efficiently.

We are very much open for business – the legal community is working co-operatively to overcome the current challenges.

How Can Coles Miller Help You At This Time?

Coles Miller will be happy to help you with any property-related questions you may have. We can assist with all aspects of the conveyancing process.

Please feel free to phone or email any of our local offices in Poole, Bournemouth, and Broadstone.

We can conduct video conferencing with all of our clients – even where our staff are working remotely. See A Client Guide To Video Conferencing.

We can also offer:

• a swift and comprehensive remortgaging service at a highly competitive price
• direct referrals to industry-leading mortgage brokers offering a full range of financial services on an all-of-the-market basis.

The Bank of England base rate is at its lowest level in history and so there is no better time to remortgage.

Get Expert Help

We appreciate that this is a very difficult time for all of our clients. We are here to support you through this as your Law Firm for Life.

For more information, please contact Coles Miller Senior Partner and Head of Conveyancing, Roger Leedham on 01202 355695.