Page 34 - ESPC Magazine Jan 2021

EXPERT ADVICE

WHAT DOES THE NEW LOCKDOWN • Wash your hands with soap and water or
use hand sanitiser – the agent or seller will
MEAN FOR THE SCOTTISH likely be able to provide you with access to
hand washing facilities.
PROPERTY MARKET? • Maintain social distancing at all times from
whoever is conducting the viewing. The
Find out what the new restrictions mean for activities such as house moves and viewings.
Scottish Government also advises that you
wear a face covering.
From 5th January, everyone in mainland COVID-19, it may be advisable to postpone
Scotland is legally required to stay at home viewings or house moves if possible. The • Avoid touching surfaces.
in order to curb rising cases of Coronavirus Scottish Government also recommends • Cancel the viewing if you or anyone in your
– this will be reviewed at the end of January. that you view properties virtually first and household tests positive for COVID-19, is a
The Scottish Government has updated only view in person if necessary and you are contact of someone who has tested positive
their stay-at-home guidance with a list of seriously interested in making an offer. or displays symptoms of the virus.
reasonable excuses which permit people to
leave their home. IF YOU DO NEED TO VIEW A PROPERTY IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOUSE AND
IN PERSON, YOU SHOULD: CONDUCTING A VIEWING, YOU SHOULD:
One of these excuses is “for activities in • Book an appointment by contacting the • Clean all surfaces in the property, such as
connection with moving home (including selling agent – open viewings are not door handles, with standard household
viewing a property), or for activities in permitted.
connection with the maintenance, purchase, cleaner before and after each viewing. Report and photographs, you must also
sale, letting, or rental of residential property • Restrict the number of people who attend • Open all the doors in the property to follow the health and safety guidelines as
that the person owns or is otherwise the viewing and ensure you are all from the prevent viewers from touching the handles. above for viewings. Your agent and surveyor
responsible for.” same household. You may also wish to open the windows to can advise you more on this before their visit.
• Try to travel to the viewing on foot, by bike ensure the property is well-ventilated.
This means that house moves, property or by car – if you must use public transport, • Ask the rest of your household to wait If you are moving house, the Scottish
viewings and valuations are permitted at this try to arrange the viewing at a time when outside during the viewing to limit contact Government advises that you try to do as
time, provided they can be carried out safely. public transport will not be busy and follow with another household. much of the packing yourself. However, if
you require the assistance of a removals firm,
However, the Scottish Government has said the necessary guidance on travelling by • When the viewers arrive, provide them
that, taking into account the new strain of public transport. with access to handwashing facilities, with you should follow the same health and safety
guidelines as for viewings and valuations.
separate or paper towels, which should be You should also make sure to clean any
washed or disposed of safely.
belongings with domestic cleaning products
• Maintain social distancing between you before they are handled by others, including
and the viewer at all times. The Scottish removal firms. The removals company can
Government also advises that you wear a advise you more on this before they visit.
face covering.
• Cancel the viewing if you or anyone in your The Scottish Government has advised that
household tests positive for COVID-19, is a you avoid asking friends or relatives from
contact of someone who has tested positive a different household to help you move if
or displays symptoms of the virus. possible.

If an agent or surveyor is coming to your Find out more advice for Scottish property
property in order to value it or produce buyers and sellers during the Coronavirus
property marketing materials such as a Home pandemic at espc.com/covid19

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