I hope you and your family are keeping safe and well. You will be aware that our industry has been restricted over the last seven weeks since we were directed by the Government to close our offices and work from home.
The Government have now this week relaxed the restrictions on Estate Agents, which has allowed us to fully re-open our Sales & Lettings department and resume viewings, valuations and sales and lettings progression.
Over the lockdown period, we have planned for this next phase and we believe we have the measures in place to operate safely for the benefit of you, our clients, and all our customers. We wanted to give you an update on what the new guidance is and how it might affect your moving plans and what systems and procedures we have put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Here is what you need to know right now:
Pent-up demand
Now that we are able to offer viewings to buyers and renters once again, there has been a surge of requests. This will really help to kickstart the housing market, but it may be fairly short-lived, and could peter out within a few months. Over the last few weeks, we have taken dozens of calls from people wanting to view our homes as soon as viewings are possible, and these enquiries are increasing daily. To date, we have a list of around 50 people who have made viewing requests, so our first priority now is to book in those viewings. But we need to make sure our clients and our team are safe.
Safe viewings
Using the new Government guidelines this is a how we are now going about arranging and undertaking viewings:
Before the viewing
- Where it has been possible for us to do so we initially show interested buyers or tenants the property using a pre-recorded ‘video viewing’ to minimise the need for physical viewings.
- When a physical viewing be required prior to meeting at the property each party involved (including the Grace Miller employee), will be asked a series of questions to check whether the viewing can go ahead:
o Has anyone in your household had COVID-19?
o Has anyone in your household displayed COVID-19 symptoms or not yet completed a required period of household self-isolation?
o Is anyone in your household in the high-risk category?
o If anyone has any concerns the viewings will not go ahead.
- To make sure your home is safe to view, and reassure viewers, all surfaces need to be sparkling clean, using a bleach-based cleaner where possible and appropriate. A home that smells freshly cleaned will help the person viewing it to relax, so they can better focus on the features of your home. Should you not be living in the property we will endeavour to wipe clean all surfaces in advance of the applicant arriving.
On the Viewing
- The applicant must make their own way to the property
- Before the applicant arrives, using PPE, we will ensure internal doors are all open. Surfaces throughout will also need to be wiped down in advance.
- We will insist that the applicant bring their own PPE of gloves and a face mask and ensure all parties wash their hands using hand sanitiser provided by us before entering the property.
- We can accompany the physical viewing, seeking to maintain a minimum of two meters distance from others wherever possible.
After the viewing
- If you are living in the property, once the viewing has finished, we advise that you should wipe down any door handles, cupboard doors etc. with antibacterial wipes or spray and that you wash your hands.
- During the sale process we will do all we can to promote flexibility on move dates between parties especially where there is a chain of properties and in circumstances where someone falls ill with the coronavirus or has to self-isolate.
- Keys will be appropriately cleaned before handover.
Further guidance specific to the rental market means:
- We are now able to show property to potential new tenants while the current tenants are still in residence while keeping in accordance with Government guidelines on working in other people’s homes and social distancing.
- We cannot conduct viewings in properties where tenants are symptomatic or self-isolating, or where the occupier is clinically extremely vulnerable and are shielding.
- Landlords should make every effort to abide by gas and electrical safety requirements. This may be more difficult due to restrictions associated with the coronavirus outbreak, for example where a tenant has coronavirus symptoms, is self-isolating or shielding. Under such circumstances, Landlords should ensure they can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to comply.
- We will consider on an individual basis how best to conduct tenancy check-ins for new tenancies’ taking care to follow Government advice on social distancing to minimise possible spread of coronavirus.
- There are temporary COVID-19 measures in place that adjust the requirements for Right to Rent checks, temporarily allowing these to be conducted remotely.
Safe valuations
Valuation guidelines may be around the corner. We have a list of homes that would like us to visit once it is safe for us to do so. We expect similar guidelines for valuations as we will see for viewings.
There are some owners that would like to move a little quicker – and we have been able to offer advice via live Zoom videos or Whatsapp video calls. If this is something you’d be interested in, you can call me on 020 8605 1300 or email me at chris@gracemiller.co.uk and I will arrange this for you.
Homes waiting to go on the market
We have a list of homes ready to be photographed and launched. These will go ahead as soon as possible, because we know there are people waiting to view, and move home. We expect there to be an initial swell of homes available to buy and rent, but it may take many months for availability levels to get back to normal. If demand remains near-normal, there will be a lack of supply of homes. As a result, we don’t expect house prices to fall in our area, but to remain at their pre-lockdown levels. However, this situation could change very quickly, so if you’re buying or selling a home it’s important to talk to us to get specific advice on your individual circumstances.
Changes to lending and conveyancing
It’s possible that lenders may conduct distance valuations, and conveyancers may accept electronic signatures. However, these measures may not be uniform across the industry, with some lenders insisting on a surveyor’s visit for a valuation. This may delay some moves, so buyers and sellers may need to accommodate this in their planned timescales. We’ll advise our clients on an ongoing and individual basis if this is the case. A Stamp Duty holiday has been mooted as one move that will help re-vitalise the housing market, which would be a welcome one.
Further information
Public Health England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are working closely with the National Association of Estate Agents Propertymark and Association of Letting Agents Propertymark, to make sure our industry is safe now that Estate Agents are allowed to re-open. Estate agents, conveyancers, surveyors and removal firms will all be working in accordance with the new guidelines, which will affect everyone involved in the industry. We will provide further updates on an ongoing basis.
How you can help us to help you
If you’re selling your home with us right now, it’s important to be viewing-ready, so if you haven’t already received our Preparing to Sell Checklist, you can email me on chris@gracemiller.co.uk and I’ll send it to you straight away.
Not sure whether to sell right now? Talk to us:
Whatever your moving plans were before lockdown, they may well have changed now. If you were planning on moving home, and you’re now reconsidering, a chat with us may help to clarify your options. On the other hand, if you have recently decided you need to move house because your circumstances have now changed, let’s talk as soon as possible, so we can help you to put a moving plan together.
Whatever your plans, I’m here to help. A chat now may reassure you and help you make an informed decision for you and your family. Just call me on 020 8605 1300 or email me at chris@gracemiller.co.uk and I’ll respond quickly and in confidence.
