20 May 2020

Government announces property viewings can go ahead

By Nic Sheldrake, Director, Hayes + Storr.

After many weeks of uncertainty in the housing market the government recently announced that property viewings can now go ahead, and that:

• Property viewing and visits to estate agents may be seen as a reasonable excuse for leaving the house.
• Under amendments to the Health Protection Regulations in England, it is reasonable to leave the house for activities associated with the purchase, sale or renting of property.

This is a great boost to the housing market as it allows those viewings that were on hold to take place and for valuations to be carried out both by estate agents and mortgage companies.

But what about the legal aspects? The truth is that the majority of our existing transactions have been progressed throughout the lockdown period. Our team of property lawyers have been working from home moving transactions on in the normal way, bringing them up to the point of exchange and where possible within social distancing and travel restrictions, completing those matters.

Of course, there were a number of transactions on hold due to the uncertainty but with the assistance of local independent agents, who were also providing a virtual service during the lock down, those are now underway with little delay caused.

These have been difficult times and we would like to thank all of our clients for their understanding and patience. We remain very much open for business.