Can you move home during the COVID-19 lockdown?

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House moves in England will be unaffected by the upcoming month-long lockdown. 

The government has confirmed that buyers and tenants will be allowed to move home despite the new restrictions, which are set to come into force this Thursday.

Here, we explain the latest rules around the UK for people looking to buy or rent a home.


What are the current COVID-19 rules?

COVID-19 measures vary across the UK, with each country setting its own rules. The current restrictions are as follows:

  • England is set to be under new lockdown measures from 5 November to 2 December. After this time, further measures will be decided on a local basis.
  • Scotland has launched a new five tier system, where each of the country’s 32 local authorities will be given a tier based on risk levels. Currently, all areas are in tiers one, two, or three.
  • Wales is currently under a ‘firebreak’ lockdown until 9 November. The Welsh government is set to announce updated guidance on what will happen after 9 November later this week.
  • Northern Ireland has imposed ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown, which includes pubs and restaurants being closed. This will end on 13 November.

Can I move home?

The government says the new lockdown in England won’t affect home moves, with the property market remaining open throughout.

The following will all be allowed during the lockdown, subject to all parties adhering to social distancing measures:

  • Renters and home buyers will be allowed to move
  • Estate agents and removals firms can continue to operate
  • Construction sites can continue to stay open
  • Tradespeople will be allowed to enter homes

While it’s been confirmed that estate agents will be allowed to operate, it isn’t yet clear whether they’ll need to close their high-street branches during the lockdown.

In Wales, renters and buyers are only allowed to proceed with moves during the ‘firebreak’ lockdown if they can’t reasonably be delayed until after 9 November.

Agents aren’t allowed to open branches or conduct in-person house viewings during the Welsh lockdown, and instead need to conduct viewings virtually.

House moves and viewings and in-person viewings are still permitted in Scotland and Northern Ireland, subject to social distancing rules.

How will house viewings work?

Where in-person house viewings are allowed, they should be arranged by appointment and be accompanied by an agent.

During viewings, social distancing measures must be adopted and all parties must wash their hands immediately upon entering the home. Viewers are advised to bring their own hand sanitiser and avoid touching surfaces. If social distancing isn’t possible, viewers and agents should consider wearing a face mask.

If possible, the current occupants should vacate the property during viewings to minimise contact with other households. They should allow access to hand-washing facilities and ideally provide separate towels or paper towels.

After the viewing, the property owner or tenant should clean surfaces and door handles, and wash towels.

What’s happening to the property market?

The property market has been flourishing since the government cut stamp duty rates back in July, but the latest uncertainty caused by COVID-19 could see the brakes being applied.

First-time buyers and home movers have been facing significant delays to the home buying process, with soaring demand putting pressure on conveyancers, mortgage brokers and lenders. Many buyers have also seen their mortgage options cut by COVID-19.

The graph below shows how average house prices have risen slightly across the UK since the pandemic began in March 2020.

 

The Which? Money Podcast

Can I get a mortgage payment holiday?

Back in March, the government announced that home owners could take a three-month mortgage payment holiday if their finances were affected by COVID-19.

Applications for payment holidays were due to close last Saturday (31 October), but the new lockdown rules mean they’ve been extended by a further six months.

If you haven’t already taken out a payment holiday since the COVID-19 outbreak, you can request a break of up to six months.

If you already have a payment holiday, you can extend this until you reach the six-month limit.

During the deferral period, interest will continue to accrue, so you should only apply for a payment holiday if you definitely need one.

Which? coronavirus advice

Experts from across Which? have been compiling the advice you need to stay safe and to make sure you’re not left out of pocket.

Keep up to date with all the latest coronavirus news and advice from Which?.



source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/11/can-you-move-house-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown/
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