By James Simons-
The property market in the Uk is back to life after £82bn worth of property transactions was put on hold during the full Uk lockdown period.
The reopening of the housing market comes with new guidelines issued for everyone involved in the chain, from estate agents to surveyors.
They include permission to visit estate or letting agents, developer sales offices, viewing of residential properties to look for a property to buy or rent, preparing a residential property to move in, moving home and visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
Under the new guidance from the Ministry Of Housing, tradespeople including fitters can operate in homes, provided they do so in line with health guidance.
Ever since British prime minister, Boris Johnson gave the public into lockdown on March 23 and the Government advised against all non-essential house moves, the property market has been dead. The two-metre social distancing rule is still mandatory, as is the wearing of protective gloves where necessary and asking high-risk vendors to keep out of their home during viewings.
Over 450,000 people have been unable to progress their plans to move house since locdown rules were put in place last March.
All buyers and renters will now be able to complete purchases and view properties in person, while estate agents, conveyancers and removals firms can return to work while following social distancing guidelines.
The Housing Ministry has also said that it would allow builders to agree more flexible construction site working hours with their local council, such as staggering builders’ arrival times, easing pressure on public transport, enabling local councils and developers to publicise planning applications through social media instead of having to rely on posters and leaflets, helping to unblock the service
Further support will also be provided for smaller developers by allowing them to defer payments to local councils, helping those struggling with their cash flow while ensuring that communities still receive funding towards local infrastructure in the longer term. In another move to unlock the housing market, the Housing Secretary has announced a series of measures to get the country building homes for the future, including:
Allowing builders to agree more flexible construction site working hours with their local council, such as staggering builders’ arrival times, easing pressure on public transport and enabling local councils and developers to publicise planning applications through social media instead of having to rely on posters and leaflets, helping to unblock the service
Greater support will also be provided to smaller developers by allowing them to defer payments to local councils, helping those struggling with their cash flow while ensuring communities still receive funding towards local infrastructure in the longer term
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
Today I am announcing new guidelines to allow the housing market to resume. Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process from viewings to removals.
Our step by step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved.
This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so.
Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said:
Over the past week or so many house builders have commenced a gradual return to work, in a structured way that ensures the safety of its workforce and the general public.
The industry sustains hundreds of thousands of people in numerous roles and associated sectors, boosting local economies across the country. A resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover as well as delivering the homes the country needs.
It should also provide the supply chain with the confidence it needs to accelerate its own restart. The Charter is the public facing evidence which supports the very detailed protocols individual builders now have in place to ensure safe working on sites.