There are no restrictions around agreeing a sale on your home. You can instruct a conveyancer and begin collating all the paperwork in readiness for accepting an offer just as you normally would.
Surveyors and valuers are now permitted to enter properties again, although a number of lenders will issue mortgage offers on some properties through desktop valuations using recent sales data. If a valuer does come to your property, treat their visit as though from a viewer and ensure that all internal doors are open, any necessary lighting is on, and that all areas of your property are accessible.
In case your buyer wants to revisit your home to measure up for furniture and curtains, or if they wish to send in tradespeople to get estimates for works, all the measures in place for in-person viewings should be observed. That includes handwashing, minimising contact with surfaces, keeping all internal doors open and practicing social distancing.
We strongly advise maintaining whatever flexibility you can in your moving plans – in your mindset as well as in your dates – and to ensure the sales contract is worded to allow for possible changes to the completion date after exchange of contracts takes place. This will protect you from being in breach of contract in case the Covid-19 situation takes a turn for the worse and lockdown restrictions are tightened again, or if someone from your household or the chain falls ill with coronavirus.
To enable you to book your removals company as soon as you exchange contracts, start gathering quotes while the conveyancing process is underway so you can lock in your date.
