New home-moving guidance to unblock housing market

Surveyors body the RICS is in the final stages of working up industry and consumer guidance on safe home moving which it hopes can get the housing market moving again.

The institution said it had been working collaboratively with the housing ministry to devise “cross-industry” guidance to ensure a safe home moving process, once social distancing rules are eased.

The news follows concerns that housebuilders will not be able to return to significant levels of construction until lockdown restrictions on home buying and selling are eased. Housing Today revealed that the HBF and the RICS were in discussions with the housing ministry over how to get the industry moving again.

Announcing a return to site in recent days, both Barratt and Redrow have made it clear they will not return to full production until they are able to re-open sales offices.

The RICS said that the industry guidance would be followed by consumer guidance on safe home moving.

The guidance is understood to be designed to allow the business of house buying and selling to be one of the first areas of the economy to be able to return to work when lockdown restrictions begin to be eased, by showing how it can be done safely.

Since lockdown measures were imposed, government guidance has drastically restricted the ability of sellers to complete sales, with only “critical” moves allowed.

A RICS spokesperson said: “The UK residential property industry have been working collaboratively and engaging with MHCLG [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government] to develop cross-industry coronavirus guidance for professionals in ensuring a safe home moving process, once social distancing measures are eased.

“The initial guidance will offer recommendations for professionals delivering services that require them to come into physical contact with people and/or enter private residential properties. It will provide practical guidance on how professionals can smoothly transition as health protection regulations evolve.”

The spokesperson said the guidance was being worked up in collaboration by professional organisations representing estate and letting agents, property lawyers/conveyancers, surveyors, property managers, home removal and associated professionals such as contractors involved in the property development. “We will continue working with Government to ensure safety, clarity, transparency and a smooth process for all parties involved”, the spokesperson added.

Housebuilders are thought unlikely to return to anything close to full production until it becomes easier for potential purchasers to buy homes.