House viewings during lockdown - help!

househunting2020 · 2020-11-05T11:48:18+00:00

DH and I are thinking of moving to an area 150 miles away from where we currently live. I’ve just seen a really nice house come up on Rightmove in our preferred area that looks perfect for us - but how can I do a viewing? Do I just have to sit tight and wait for a whole month? I’m heartbroken as we don’t have a chance in hell of getting it if that’s the case!

Needmoresleep · 05/11/2020 11:53

No. Viewings are going ahead.

Mildura · 05/11/2020 12:25

Guidance/advice we have received this morning:

The Regulations specifically state that activities relating to the sector are allowed to continue under Exceptions to leaving home:

to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property—

(i) visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;
(ii) viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent;
(iii) preparing a residential property to move in;
(iv) moving house;
(v) visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental orsale of that property;

Original poster

househunting2020 · 05/11/2020 12:30

Oh that’s fantastic! Although I just double checked and the house is in fact 220 miles away and a four hour drive). Am I ok to stay in the area overnight? It’s obviously too long a journey to do in one day.

OP posts:

Bouncycastle12 · 05/11/2020 12:31

You’re only allowed to stay away for a night for work, I’m afraid!

Original poster

househunting2020 · 05/11/2020 12:40

So I will have to wait until December then

OP posts:

AcornAutumn · 05/11/2020 13:20

you probably won't find a hotel open.

any compromise - taking it in turns to drive?

Needmoresleep · 05/11/2020 13:20

The Mail has had a stab at explaining what can and can't be done.

mol.im/a/8916435

You can stay in a hotel if moving home. I suspect that does not include looking for a new home.

AcornAutumn · 05/11/2020 13:21

you're also allowed to stay overnight with people in your bubble

got a single friend in the area?!

Cornishmumofone · 05/11/2020 14:25

It's not fun, but 8 hours of driving in a day is possible - especially if you can split the drive with someone else.

Original poster

househunting2020 · 05/11/2020 14:37

No friends in the new area and my DH doesn't drive! I've been on at him to get his licence for ages as well. Looks like we're going to have to wait it out until December.

OP posts:

NotTodayMaybeTomorrow · 05/11/2020 15:01

@househunting2020 you’ve probably already thought of this, but what about giving the agents a call to see if they offer virtual viewings?

Original poster

househunting2020 · 05/11/2020 22:09

@NotTodayMaybeTomorrow yes, I could probably do a virtual viewing - but there’s no way I could make an offer without seeing the house in the flesh

OP posts:

Mosaic123 · 05/11/2020 22:29

But making an offer does not commit you to buying. After a virtual viewing and Google msos satellite views you could make an offer and withdraw after you've seen it if it's different in real life.

Mosaic123 · 05/11/2020 22:29

Google Maps....

AcornAutumn · 05/11/2020 23:54

@Mosaic123

But making an offer does not commit you to buying. After a virtual viewing and Google msos satellite views you could make an offer and withdraw after you've seen it if it's different in real life.

I nearly put my flat on the market

I told the EA I’d not be allowing virtual viewings because I didn’t believe anyone who could make a genuine offer from that - I’d just see them as a time waster. He said not to worry because most people would choose to look in person.

I think OP is right to say, why make an offer when you’ve not seen the place.

OP what are your options if you go by train?

CatAndHisKit · 06/11/2020 01:58

I've started a similar thread but I travel by train.

I went to view today, and got questioned and told off by the ticket office. Apparently they don't see it as essential, when I said I m buying a house - had to emphatise how urgent it is. She did reluctantly sel lme a ticket but told me to be prepared to be questioned by transport police.
So even if the viewings are allowed, travel is discouraged - which doesn;t give clear guidance to us, or to staff at stations. And if they hadn't see it in black and white, how do I prove that I'm right?
I was saying on my thread that possibly it's fine to travel by car - I don't drive currently though, and it's only 30min by train.

I did go though in the end. So maybe you could try the train, OP even though this may involve an unpleasant need to defend yourself?

Finfintytint · 06/11/2020 02:27

Just do what you can to facilitate moving if you have to. We’ve just wasted seven grand and seven months in purchasing a property and if I had my time again I’d ignore any travel/ hotel restrictions. I complied with rules first time but I’ll be fucked if I were to do it again.

AcornAutumn · 06/11/2020 09:38

@CatAndHisKit

I've started a similar thread but I travel by train.

I went to view today, and got questioned and told off by the ticket office. Apparently they don't see it as essential, when I said I m buying a house - had to emphatise how urgent it is. She did reluctantly sel lme a ticket but told me to be prepared to be questioned by transport police.
So even if the viewings are allowed, travel is discouraged - which doesn;t give clear guidance to us, or to staff at stations. And if they hadn't see it in black and white, how do I prove that I'm right?
I was saying on my thread that possibly it's fine to travel by car - I don't drive currently though, and it's only 30min by train.

I did go though in the end. So maybe you could try the train, OP even though this may involve an unpleasant need to defend yourself?

I don’t know what the law says about needing to prove yourself, I’m on a care visit to mum later do I’ll guess I’ll find out.

But if you needed to, could you show confirmation of your appointment to view the property?

I can’t believe the ticket office told you off. Appalling. I think it could also be covered under essential business? My fathers estate was signed off during the first lockdown. I had to travel for that.

CatAndHisKit · 07/11/2020 01:16

thanks, Acorn! maybe I was just unlucjy with that particular person. She's an unfriendly type generally. Didn't like to feel beholden to her as needed that ticket. Another trip tomorrow - but thankfully I'm now armed with MN providing a link to the regs page, so I can quote!
Care is definitely allowed, not sure if you have any letter about it or just comtact details of the person you do the care for.

Original poster

househunting2020 · 07/11/2020 10:27

Thanks all - I think I’m just going to wait it out and hope that 1. lockdown ends when it’s meant to and 2. the house is still available!

OP posts:

DespairingHomeowner · 07/11/2020 17:40

I did some viewings today a half hour away, no issues at all

I’m quite a stickler for the rules, but you are allowed to move house & the industry is open. You also need to assess your new area. Buying a house is an important business, & it is business not pleasure

Air BnB are allowing bookings - just go and stay a night (pref Saturday... people having parties/visitors would be v apparent driving round & if so it would put me off hugely

I’ve just sold and would not have taken an offer from a video viewing over someone who gas seen it.

AcornAutumn · 07/11/2020 18:33

oh that's interesting that Air B and B is open

It was reasonably busy when I went to mum's in the morning - she is near some lovely green spaces - but quieter coming back.

Not so quiet you'd be worried. I would say that a lot of people are going about their business as much as they can. When I did care visits in lockdown 1, I had a few occasions when I was the only person in the carriage. I also had a copy of the legislation handy but this time I am hoping that they just know care visits are allowed. Also we have the bubbles now which we didn't before.

Were house viewings allowed in Lockdown 1?

Anyway, OP, I'd say you are legit to get on a train.

m0therofdragons · 07/11/2020 18:40

My parents have had 4 viewings of their home this week. Ea wore gloves and viewers aren’t allowed to touch anything.