The Government have recently announced the lifting restrictions on the housing market in a bid to get the industry moving again. 

Although most of our staff will continue working remotely from home, our office will reopen as from Monday 18 May for pre-arranged appointments only and in line with social distancing measures. This is to ensure we can fully risk assess customers and ensure the safety of our team. If you absolutely need to see us face to face, please do book an appointment but if you can and wherever possible please do try to communicate with us via telephone, email or one of the virtual meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype or Facetime.

Please click here to see the changes to the Governments guidance on moving home.

People are free to move home, however the process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different, as those involved in the process will need to adapt practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spread of coronavirus is reduced as far as possible. It is vital that everyone stays alert and safe.

We, at Andrew Louis will always endeavour to carry out all initial viewings by using virtual 3D tours or via another virtual platform. However, we are still able to arrange accompanied viewings subject to the following Government guidelines.

• Initial viewings should be done virtually wherever this is possible and property agents should help you to do this.
• All physical viewings should be limited to members of the same household and open house viewings should not take place.
• When physically viewing properties, where possible, you should avoid touching surfaces, wash your hands regularly, and bring your own hand sanitiser. The number of people on a viewing should be minimised to those from your household that absolutely have to be there. If you need to be accompanied by small children, you should try to keep them from touching surfaces and ensure they wash their hands regularly.
• If people are being shown around your current home, you should open all internal doors and ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned after each viewing with standard household cleaning products.
• As most people choose to, we recommend that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place in order to minimise your contact with those not in your household.
• Anyone involved in any aspect of the home moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
• 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. There is further advice about this below.
• If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, then speak to the professionals involved, your landlord, estate agent or removers as they may be able to put in place extra measures.

Everyone involved in the moving process must follow social distancing to minimise the spread of the virus. 

People self-isolating or having tested positive for coronavirus.

Moving home is not appropriate whilst you pose a direct risk of transmitting coronavirus. People who have coronavirus or are self-isolating with their family member should not leave their home to either move home, or undertake property viewings.

We hope you have found this information useful, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or concerns.

Take care and stay safe