Housing Market Reopening in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

While full lockdown rules in England lifted over a month ago, allowing for movement in the property market, regulations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to restrict the market. However, as Jeni Browne explains, this is now changing.

Announcements from both the Welsh and Scottish government’s show positive signs for the recovery of the whole UK property market.

Wales

Starting this week, those who have exchanged but are waiting to complete you are now able to move; however, there are conditions. The property you are moving into must have been unoccupied for at least three days or had a deep clean. This also applies to anyone moving into Wales from England.

All properties are now able to be valued physically (where necessary). Inspections must adhere to all social distancing and hygiene regulations set out by the government and RICS. You can read our blog on how lockdown property valuations work here.

Estate agents can reopen, meaning that advertising of all properties can resume as normal. However, only unoccupied properties can be viewed physically to minimise the risk of infection. This applies to both purchasers and prospective tenants.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

The Scottish government announced that they would be relaxing pandemic restrictions from 29th June, which means that house moves can resume. In the meantime, estate agents can continue preparing their businesses to open with social distancing regulations in place. Hopefully, this means they will be able to reopen in the near future.

Northern Ireland resumed house moves last week, and many lenders are now completing physical valuations here again.

This is all good news for home-buyers and landlords alike; after months of inactivity, processes in the property market are looking to start moving once again, all over the UK.

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23rd June 2020