Housing Market to Remain Open - January 2021 National Lockdown

I'm sure you're aware of the Prime Minister's announcement about the latest national lockdown in England, I wanted to make sure you’re aware that home-moving can continue, whether you're in England, Wales or Scotland. Here's a summary of the latest guidance and further below on how we shall be adopting our operating policies we put into place in May 2020.

England
The government has today issued updated guidance around the restrictions in England coming into effect tomorrow (Wednesday). Here’s the key information that will affect you:

Moving home
You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings. Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing, letting fresh air in, and wearing a face covering.

Read the guidance for England in full here.

Wales:
In Wales the government advice for moving home says that you may now:

• move home
• market a residential property for sale or rent and prepare a residential property for persons to move into
• view a residential property

Read the guidance for Wales in full here.

Lettings:
The letting of a propety can continue, in line with the 'Moving Home' section above.
Property can still be prepared for securing tenants and in line with the guidance from the government.  Should your property therefore become vacant you are able to replace the tenants under strict guidelines
If you are currently utilising a management service then agents are able to carry out remote inspections to ensure the property is being looked after and any maintenance required can be dealt with.
During the pandemic Jackson Property Lettings have engaged with our landlords and tenants in a more virtual way, with tenancy agreements being signable online.

Jackson Property Policy Update:
Although there is very little difference with policy changes for Estate & Lettings Industry, we are adjusting our policies ever so slightly to help maintain safety of all our clients. The main change is that we will insist on the guidance that it is a maximum of 2 households in a property at anytime. 
This means we may ask owners of properties to conduct a safe viewing of their home, if they are unable to leave. All viewings should be conducted with face coverings and a restricted to a minimum number. 

Our team have everything in place to adhere to the further policies, we have a strong following of our online viewings/virtual tours and are able to conduct virtual valuations. Safety of our clients, staff and families is still paramount, so whilst there may be the odd adjustment to our policies throught the coming months, we shall still be operating as we were when restrictions were eased in May 2020.

If you have any questions, please contact any of our team and we will be happy to help and advise.

Thanks.
Nathan Jackman-Smith