AB are members of Propertymark / Arla. Yesterday we received the following statement and guidance:
Propertymark remains in daily dialogue with relevant Government departments to get clarification on the issues facing agents, while adhering to overarching Government guidance. In the latest guidance, a Government spokesperson said:
“Home buyers and renters should, as far as possible, delay moving to a new house while emergency measures are in place to fight coronavirus.
“If moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, people must follow advice on social distancing to minimise the spread of the virus.
“Anyone with symptoms, self-isolating or shielding from the virus, should follow medical advice and not move house for the time being.”
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will publish further guidance as soon as possible. In line with the guidance from Government, work activities must be carried out from home wherever possible and workers must take care to follow Government guidance on social distancing and hygiene.
See Public Health England guidance here.
Throughout recent developments, we have been seeking clarification on steps to take in relation to emergency property maintenance.
Guidance on closure of further business that has been published today underpins all of the vital measures in place to prevent the spread but also states:
“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.
“Again, it will be important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a two metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
“No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so. In such cases, Public Health England can provide advice to tradespeople and households.
“No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.”
Guidance for maintenance here.
AB endeavour to keep you updated of any changes to this.
