Welsh Government issue guidance for housing sector

Following the announcement on Friday 19 June of a partial reopening of the housing market in Wales from Monday 22 June, the Welsh Government has just released guidance for agents and landlords.

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The guidance outlines that people can move more than five miles away from where they live however, they should only move to properties that are unoccupied and have been empty for at least 72 hours or have been deep cleaned. As well as the guidance the Welsh Government also provided answers in a series of FAQs.

Guidance for individuals has also been published for those who are looking to move home, arrange viewings or allow estate agents, surveyors, and removal workers in their homes.

Preparing properties

Agents will be able to take professional photographs and videos and carry out valuations, inspections, and floorplans, but The Government ask that it should be done so safely, in line with the workplace guidance for employers and employees and the physical distancing in the workplace guidance.

Property viewings

Agents should provide a virtual viewing in the first instance, and where a physical viewing of a vacant property (which has been vacated for 72 hours or deep cleaned) is required, agents should only allow appointment only viewings and ensure the people attending are from the same household.

Agents should not allow speculative viewings to take place or open house viewings. View the full list of advice when facilitating a viewing in the guidance.

Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

The guidance states that viewings of empty rooms in otherwise occupied houses of multiple occupation (HMO) cannot take place. Home moves into HMOs are allowed, but the steps set out in the Government's advice should be followed.

Where a home move into an HMO is necessary and other people already reside at the property, additional precautions are necessary and are laid out in the guidance.

Entering people’s homes

If you need to enter another person’s home for the purposes of work related to a home move, for example, a tradesperson carrying out an inspection, the visits should be carried out in line with workplace guidance for employers and employees and the physical distancing in the workplace guidance.

The guidance

The guidance breaks down what agents and landlords should undertake when opening their businesses whilst ensuring the safety of their staff and customers.

Other topics in the guidance include:

  • Visitors to all offices
  • Facilitating property viewings for the public
  • Preparing properties for viewings by the public
  • Additional information for new build sales offices 

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