Housing market in Wales partially reopens
As from today 22nd June, home moves can go ahead providing the property has been vacant for at least 72 hours. Welsh property viewings and house moves given partial green light.
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has announced that there will be a partial reopening of the housing market in Wales from - Monday 22 June 2020.
This mean that we can reopen our offices and the Welsh Government’s five-mile Coronavirus travel restrictions are lifted for us - the property sector.
The Welsh Government’s position is very much about opening as much of the market as possible whilst minimising risk.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
"The threat of coronavirus hasn’t gone away but thanks to the efforts we have all made over the last few months, the number of people contracting coronavirus each day in Wales is falling, so too is the risk of meeting somebody with virus.
Given the progress we have made, we are able to take some additional cautious steps to further unlock our society and economy. This includes more retailers being able re-open their businesses, as long as they take measures to minimise the risk to their staff and to the customers who visit their stores.
Our focus continues to be on the health risks of the outbreak, but we can now begin to cautiously focus much more squarely on the wider economic and societal impact the virus is having.
We have provided a huge amount of support to businesses and jobs as they hibernated during the pandemic – now we start to take these careful steps to restart our economy."
What happens now?
1) All house moves can go ahead where the residential property has been unoccupied i.e. vacant for at least 72 hours.
2) House moves can take place where a sale has been agreed but not yet completed.
3) The marketing and viewing of unoccupied residential property can take place.
4) Valuations and inspections of occupied residential property are allowed but should be done so safely and in line with the Welsh Government’s guidance on working in someone’s home.
5) House moves can still not take place where the residential property is occupied. However, the Welsh Government has said that agents can now prepare to market these properties subject to a full reopening of the sector.
Can I have a valuation on my property?
Yes. Property valuations and inspections are allowed provided they are done in line with social distancing measures.
Has coronavirus gone in Wales?
No. The virus is still very much here.
Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales, said: “The threat of coronavirus hasn’t gone away but thanks to the efforts we have all made over the last few months, the number of people contracting coronavirus each day in Wales is falling, so too is the risk of meeting somebody with virus.
Given the progress we have made, we are able to take some additional cautious steps to further unlock our society and economy. This includes more retailers being able re-open their businesses, as long as they take measures to minimise the risk to their staff and to the customers who visit their stores."
Can people view my property?
Not if your house is occupied. We can do viewings on EMPTY properties only at this present time.
Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales said: "House moves can still not take place where the residential property is occupied. However, the Welsh Government has said that agents can now prepare to market these properties subject to a full reopening of the sector.
Where possible agents should continue with virtual viewings and carry out physical viewings only on property that are unoccupied."
Propertymark has engaged with the Welsh Government throughout this process and lobbied Members of the Welsh Parliament urging all sides to implement a full reopening of the housing market in Wales.
Further detail has been set out by the Welsh Government in guidance.
To see the Welsh Government announcement in FULL please click here.
Are your offices open?
At this present time, although the welsh government has re-opened the property market we are slowly making the transition back to the office. We are still available on telephone, email and facebook.
Rest assured, we are swiftly putting into place protective measures for both our staff and members of the public, to ensure their safety and shall be back very soon.
Our focus continues to be on the health risks of the outbreak, but we can now begin to cautiously focus much more squarely on the wider economic and societal impact the virus is having.
If you have any questions or are unsure about the article above please contact us on sales@alexanders-online.co.uk
or 01970 636 000.
Although the property market has been declared partially open, we have not been able to conduct viewings and although we are preparing to go back to the office, the new guidelines still do not allow us to undertake viewings on occupied properties. If you are in an occupied house do not worry, your time will come.
Take care,
The Alexanders Team.