Government guidance released #Keep the market moving

Following the recent announcement that the sales and lettings activity can resume within England, the Government has now published guidance for professionals and consumers.

Propertymark has been working with the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local  Government to try and make arrangements to ensure that housing markets can resume as soon as possible, and this guidance will support agents in making  arrangements within their own business. 

Property sales  and lettings are one of the first areas of business to resume and the  guidance clearly states that this is not a return to normality. New processes  must be put in place to ensure that social distancing and safety are the top  priority. Agents can open branches but should consider appropriate  arrangements for individual members of staff, given government guidance on  safer working.

No open house viewings are permitted,  and agents should not drive clients to appointments. 

Checks should be made on all parties  to ensure that nobody with any Coronavirus symptoms takes part in any  in-person activity. The  focus remains on virtual activity in the first instance with physical  viewings only taking place where there is serious intention to rent or buy. 

Arrangements for viewings should only  involve the number of participants that are essential, in many cases this  will mean less buyers or applicants than previously. 

Agents can accompany physical viewings  and seek to maintain a minimum of 2 metres distance from others wherever  possible. Where social distancing is not possible and the visit is within an  enclosed space, they should consider wearing a face covering. The householder  must remain outside or in another room during viewings and the householder is  responsible for cleaning and sanitising surfaces, opening windows, and  ensuring maximum ventilation. 

If possible, necessary repairs, gas,  and electrical safety checks should be conducted in the period between a  property being vacated and a new tenant moving in. If this is not possible  and visits are needed to an occupied property, this should be done by  appointment with measures put in place to ensure physical contact is  minimised, for example with residents staying in another room during the  visit. 

OneAgency Estate Agents have been  following the guidance and we are ready to help you move home. Whether you  are selling or letting we are here to look after all of your property needs  in Stoke On Trent.

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