13 may 2020

Housing Market Re-opens

From 13^th May, anyone in England can move home if they follow the new government guidance. Previously homebuyers and sellers were advised to delay completions where possible until the lockdown had ended.

As a first step, estate agents’ offices can re-open their doors, viewings are permitted and surveyors and removal companies can resume operations.

According to government figures 450,000 buyers and renters have been unable to progress their plans since the lock-down was introduced, and the latest measures are a positive step towards unlocking these transactions. Mr Jenrick said: “This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so”. We are extremely pleased by these essential steps which the government has taken to restart the housing market.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has also announced further measures to unlock the housing market, including allowing builders more flexible working hours on sit, enabling councils to publicise planning applications online, and helping smaller developers with their cashflow by allowing them to defer payments to local councils.  

The government has stressed that this is not a return to ‘normal’ practice and that all those involved in the process will need to practice social distancing and adapt their practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spreading the virus is reduced. As a modern and dynamic firm, we have successfully adapted to these new working practices and throughout this pandemic we have continued to progress transactions expeditiously and efficiently for our clients.

You can read more about the updated government guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Real Estate team.