26/06/2020
Please see below our latest guidelines for buyers, sellers and our own SBS Property staff
Advice for our Clients
This guidance applies to moving home in all circumstances, including both buying and selling.
If you are buying or selling a property, we recommend that you speak to one of our solicitors or estate agents in the first instance.
People self-isolating or having tested positive for COVID-19
Moving home (or viewing prospective properties) is not appropriate whilst you pose a direct risk of transmitting COVID-19. People who have COVID-19 or are self-isolating should not leave their home either to move home or to undertake property viewings.
If you have symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, or you live with someone that has symptoms, you should follow current guidance on staying at home and self-isolating.
Anyone with COVID-19 or self-isolating, should delay their move until all members of the household have come to the end of their self-isolation period. All parties should prioritise agreeing amicable arrangements to change move dates for households with individuals in this group. This includes where someone in the chain of those involved in the proposed move is in this group, particularly where that person is being shielded from the virus.
Property moves while measures to fight COVID-19 apply
You can, once again, move home. However, the process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different, as everyone involved in the process will need to adapt practices and procedures.
To minimise public health risks and allow home moves to happen as safely as possible, the following measures will be followed:
initial viewings should be done virtually wherever this is possible and we help you to do this where at all possible. We currently have over 20 video walk through videos and will add to this from Monday, when we can visit properties once more.
all physical viewings will be arranged by appointment only and open house viewings will not take place. You will not be permitted to view any properties if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating
to support this, our agents may ask home occupiers to conduct virtual viewings. This will help reduce the number of properties people need to visit before finding their future home.
when physically viewing properties, where possible, you should avoid touching surfaces, wash your hands with soap and water before entering the property or use alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitiser). Our agents will have hand sanitiser and there may also be hand wash facilities made available by the seller.
the number of people attending a viewing at one time will be restricted to ensure that the rules on physical distancing can be observed. You should only be accompanied to viewings with members of your current household and our agent or representative. If you need to be accompanied by young children, you should try to stop them touching surfaces and ensure they wash their hands regularly. We realise that in some cases it may be the only way that a property can be viewed.
if people are being shown around your current home, while you are still living there, you should open all internal doors and ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned before and after each viewing with standard household cleaning products. Your SBS Property professional can give you clear details on how to prepare your particular property.
where possible, we recommend that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place, unless you are conducting the viewing. This will minimise your contact with those not in your household
when moving between properties, you and those in your household should try to do as much of the packing yourself as you can. Where this is not possible, you should speak to removal firms in advance. Further advice on this is available from the Scottish Government
If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, then speak to the professionals involved as they may be able to put in place extra measures
Everyone involved in any aspect of the moving process must follow government guidelines on physical distancing, handwashing and the use of face coverings to minimise the spread of the virus. You should also keep up to date with current advice on keeping yourself and others safe.
Face coverings
Your SBS Property Agent will be wearing a face covering when in contact people involved in all activities related to buying or selling your home. People viewing properties, both occupied and vacant, will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
Use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing practices, which must be maintained wherever possible.
Preparing to buy, sell or move home
You can put your home on the market and start to look for properties you want to move into.
you can begin to market your home and our agents are able to visit in order to take photos/videos of the property, in accordance with public health guidelines. If any member of the household being viewed is showing symptoms or is self-isolating, then we will not physically visit the property
to help prevent the spread of infection, we encourage you to do the majority of your initial property searching online and only physically view those properties which you believe are prospectively your next home
as usual, you can also start to bring together the documentation necessary to sell your property. Call our agents to check what will be required and also for assistance in instructing a surveyor to carry out the obligatory Home Report
It should be noted that, as with other regulations relating to COVID-19, these guidelines may change at short notice. Wee will endeavour to keep you up to date with the very latest developments within the housing market.
Stay Safe
All at SBS Property
