New lockdown rules are in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 across England and are constantly being reviewed. Originally, there were four tiers, which were made more stringent after the second national lockdown.
From 5th January 2021 England will be under strict lockdown rules. These guidelines were put into place due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and a new strain of the virus that is rapidly spreading.
Will the property market remain open?
Yes – The property market is allowed to remain open during lockdown. Buyers and sellers are allowed to continue with their property purchases across England, and those in the property industry are able to keep working.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick clarified this on Twitter: “Housing market update: the sales and rental markets remain open in all tiers. All associated activities can continue as before. Please follow the Covid secure guidance. And use your judgement as to whether it’s necessary right now.”
Buying and selling has continued at strong levels even during the traditional seasonal slowdown. The property market is also expected to get off to a bang in 2021 as many buyers are looking to complete their transactions before the stamp duty holiday deadline at the end of March.
What is the guidance for the property industry?
In Tier 4, people are only allowed to leave their home when they have a ‘reasonable excuse’. This includes going to work and moving house. People are still allowed to move. However, those outside an individual bubble shouldn’t help with moving unless it is absolutely necessary.
Letting and estate agents, tradespeople, conveyancers, removal firms and other professionals in the property industry can continue to operate in all tiers. Viewing properties are also still allowed as long as safety measures are followed, such as social distancing and wearing a face covering. It’s recommended for people to initially start their property search online and undertake virtual viewings to begin with when possible
The government continues to show the property market is a top priority. The sector is an important part of England’s economy. Additionally, the housing market, along with property development, can play a pivotal role in the country’s recovery from COVID-19.
To continue keeping Salboy developments safe places to visit, we have a number of safety measures in place. If you are actively looking to move house and would like to book a viewing, please give us a call on +44 (0) 161 884 3183 or send a message online.
