Viewings in January Lockdown 2021

This applies to England only

As you can appreciate once again, we are in unprecedented times. The main focus and aim is to ensure everyone is kept safe. We can do this by ensuring contact is always kept to a minimum, as well as the hands, face, space and fresh air rule.

Property viewings during lockdown

The guidance advises where possible virtual viewings should be carried out initially. If a virtual viewing is not possible, viewings can proceed but should be by appointment only. Viewers should be kept to a minimum, ideally only those who may potentially rent the property. No property should allow open house viewings.

If the property is currently occupied the occupiers should open all internal doors and windows and ensure all surfaces and door handles are wiped before and after a viewing. Ideally the occupier may want to vacate the property, maybe for their daily exercise, whilst the viewing is being carried out. If the occupier has exclusive possession of the entire dwelling and refuses access then the viewing cannot proceed.

During the viewing a face covering should be worn by all attendees unless they are medically exempt, hands should be washed regularly and where possible a 1 – 2 metre spacing should be kept.

Working safely during lockdown

If your tenant requires a maintenance issue to be addressed, before an appointment is made, you may want to ensure they are not shielding or currently affected by the Coronavirus (eg ill or self-isolating).

Your tenant should wipe down all surfaces the contractor may need to touch before and after the appointment, have the windows open and keep to the 1 – 2 metre distance, if possible. The contractor should also wear a face covering unless they are exempt for medical reasons.

A landlord’s legal requirement to ensure a gas safety record, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) EPC or Electrical installation condition report (EICR) is carried out before a new tenancy begins has not changed, however due to the lockdown the government have confirmed if an EPC cannot be obtained within 7 days of advertising a property for sale or let despite all efforts to have the EPC in place, they have allowed a further grace period of 21 days. If an EPC is still not in place after the extended 21 days enforcement action can be taken