Re-opening the housing market: learnings from week 1

Last week I reported on the government’s decision to allow the property market to resume from 13 May 2020. One week in, what does this look like in practice?

Whilst estate agents’ offices are permitted to reopen, many have remained closed and will begin to open their doors gradually over the coming weeks.

For those that are open, social distancing measures continue to be observed and viewings may only be conducted with members of the same household, which means buying agents assisting with the search may need to visit separately.

The government’s advice to industry also stresses that viewings and visits to estate agents’ offices should be by appointment-only, and that agents must not drive clients to viewings.

For those thinking of selling, it has never been more important to choose an estate agent with excellent local knowledge, as they may be able to offer virtual market valuations instead of (or in addition to) physical inspections.

For conveyancers, remote working is still strongly encouraged and being widely adopted. Where client meetings do need to take place face-to-face, conveyancers are now permitted to do so providing social distancing and hygiene measures are observed.

Lawyers continue to adopt a flexible and helpful approach in their dealings, in order to allow transactions to proceed under these unusual circumstances.