Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

House Viewing During Coronavirus – How It Works

28th August 2020

House hunting is stressful enough, without adding social distancing, masks and contact tracing. But, life must go on and as the country is slowly getting back onto its feet, home buyers are looking to make a move. Here’s what you need to know about house viewing.

Go online

While house viewings are now permitted, things are a little different to how they were before lockdown. The government is encouraging people to do as much of their property searching as possible online. Most estate agents are offering virtual viewings, so you can get a good idea of whether you like the house before you visit it in real life. Once you are sure that a property has definite potential for you, you can arrange an in-person viewing.

Physical viewings

Physical viewings will be permitted following a virtual viewing and will be strictly by appointment only and the agent will ask the viewers to restrict the size of their group.

Homeowners will be asked to open all internal doors before the viewing.
It is preferable if the homeowners vacate the property prior to the viewing, so that as few people as possible are in the house.
On entering the house, everyone should wash their hands.
Social distancing rules should be observed throughout the viewing, wherever possible.
After the viewing, the property owner should clean down all surfaces and door handles that may have been touched.

If you are self-isolating or have tested positive for coronavirus

If you have coronavirus, you must not host or go on a property viewing. The government also advises that you should change your moving date; if you have already exchanged contracts and agreed a completion date, contact your solicitor as soon as possible.

Moving house

Your local removal companies will still be able to operate, although they may need to modify their procedures to meet government guidelines. Contact your local removal companies as far ahead of time as possible and do as much packing as possible by yourself to minimise contact. Ask everyone to ensure that they wash their hands regularly and advise your removal company that you won’t be able to provide refreshments. If possible, set aside a designated toilet for the use of the removal staff.

If you need to get an electric oven installed or you have home improvements that you want to start as soon as you move in, it is fine to have tradespeople in your new home. Speak to your local traders before the move and ask them what measures they are taking to ensure the safety of themselves and their customers.

It can be hard to find a local trader that you can trust, especially when you move to a new area. By following Trust A Trader on Facebook or Twitter, you will be joining a community of happy customers and reliable tradespeople, helping you to make your house move as stress-free as possible.

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Looking for more homeowner advice advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
Should I renovate my home or move house?

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.
What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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