The revised legislation for the latest lockdown in England is scheduled to go through Parliament today (6 January 2021).
Similar to the November 2020 lockdown, for landlord’s work, most things are allowed (subject to the usual COVID-19 precautions).
The guidance ‘National lockdown: Stay at Home’ has been updated which includes information about working in peoples homes, moving home and conducting viewings.
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Going to work
As with lockdowns before, you may leave your home to go to work if that work cannot reasonably be done from home (such as a viewing, gas safety etc.).
Work – you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home, including but not limited to people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing that require in-person attendance
Tradespeople working in peoples homes
Tradespeople may continue to work in people’s homes exercising the usual measures.
The guidance states:
Where it is necessary for you to work in other people’s homes – for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople – you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden, where COVID-19 Secure measures may not be in place.
Viewings during lockdown
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.
There is also national guidance on moving home available here which includes guidance for conducting viewings.
Some useful tips include:
- where possible, use virtual viewings
- all viewings should be by appointment only and no open house viewings
- all attendees should wear a face mask
- everyone should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces where possible
- once the viewing has taken place, surfaces, such as door handles, should be cleaned with standard household cleaning products and towels disposed of safely or washed as appropriate.
Moving home during lockdown
The guidance provides:
You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
Possession
The current eviction suspension is set to expire on 11 January 2021.
We expect that this will be extended although there’s been no word either way at the time of writing.
