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The restrictions introduced by the Government in December to help stem the rise of the Omicron variant have mostly been lifted, and the remaining Covid rules in England could well end next week. But with the housing market picking up pace as we move towards the spring, it’s important to remember that rules do still remain in place, which vary according to your vaccination status and where you live.
Viewing a property
You may view a property in person unless you are subject to self-isolation requirements, in most cases because of a recent positive Covid test. But remember, if you are not fully vaccinated and someone in your household tests positive, you are also legally required to stay home and follow the Government’s self-isolation rules. The rules differ slightly in Scotland.
Although face masks are no longer a legal requirement in England, a homeowner might ask you to wear one. And even if they do not, it’s still courteous to ask before entering their home. In addition, many businesses still request the wearing of face coverings on their premises, including some estate agents. Indeed, the official guidance continues to recommend face coverings in all crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with others.
Mask wearing remains a requirement in most public spaces in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Can I insist that someone viewing my home wears a mask?
Absolutely, yes. Irrespective of the official position, it’s your property and you make the rules! However, it’s advisable to make the estate agent aware of this to enable them to give advance notice to those wishing to view your home
What if somebody in the conveyancing chain tests positive shortly before completion?
The problem of possible delays to conveyancing resulting from a party testing positive was foreseen at the outset of the pandemic. The solution was to include so-called Covid-clauses in conveyancing contracts. These state that a party’s failure to complete for a Covid-19-related reason shall be treated as a force majeure event in order to save the chain. Should the event happen, the parties are required to keep channels of communication open with a view to agreeing on a new completion date as soon as reasonably practicable.
Can tradespeople enter my home?
Yes, subject to them being caught by Covid self-isolation rules, they can enter your home. Again, you can ask them to wear a mask and they may request that you vacate the area where they are working. It’s a good idea to maintain good ventilation and to sanitise all surfaces in the vicinity of the work area, both before and after their visit.
