The Housing Secretary on the government’s response to COVID-19 and the plan to safely restart, reopen and renew the housing market.
When the lockdown was announced in March, we changed the rules so that people could only move home if they thought it was “reasonably necessary”.
That meant that more than 450,000 buyers had to put their plans on hold.
And each month 300,000 tenancies come up for renewal as well.
A significant proportion of these will result in people needing to or wanting to move home. The pressure to move for some was becoming acute, with serious legal, financial and health implications.
During an already very difficult time, these people have been stuck in limbo. Now they can carry on with their house moves and add some certainty to their lives.
So, from today:
- estate agents’ offices can re-open
- viewings – whether virtual or in person – are permitted
- show homes can open
- and removal companies and the other essential parts of the sales and letting process are re-started with immediate effect
For most people moving home is not a luxury. People decide to move home because their personal circumstances change.
