COVID-19 is having an impact on the home moving industry and professionals whose work involves direct contact with clients, occupiers, tenants and home movers whether in an office or through visits to private residential property. This is causing significant uncertainty for many, especially as Government guidance continues to evolve.

New pan-industry guidance has been released, the purpose of which is to provide professionals with information to enable them to complete moves while maintaining safety as social distancing measures are eased in line with Government guidelines.

The document has been developed collaboratively by the residential sector and professional organisations’ representatives. It is relevant to property agents, lenders, mortgage advisers, property lawyers/conveyancers, surveyors, energy assessors, property managers, home removal and associated professionals such as contractors involved in the property development, management and the home moving processes.

The guidance focuses on physical contact points in the home moving process whereby professionals delivering services will need to come into contact with people and/or enter private residential properties.

General industry recommendations for all individuals to reduce risks associated with Covid-19:

• Limit as much as possible any contacts with people outside your household – this is the most important condition for staying healthy.
• Transmission is affected by both duration and proximity of contact; individuals should not be too close to other people for more than a short amount of time. When in physical contact, stay side-to-side rather than facing people.
• When travelling, professionals should continue to avoid public transport wherever possible.
• Wherever possible, go directly from home to work and then back home and avoid peak travel times.
• Wash your hands as often as possible with soap or use hand sanitiser or wet wipes when you are outside.
• Eat at home and/or bring your own food at work.
• If you are coming back from an area with high risk of contamination, follow the advice on the NHS website.
• Don’t shake hands. Use the knuckles of your fingers to touch the light switches, elevator buttons, etc.
• When at petrol stations, use a paper towel or use a disposable glove to use the pump.
• Open doors with your elbow or otherwise, not your palm.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitiser before and after going into a property.
• When you return home or to your place of work, wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitiser.
• Always bring a hand sanitiser with you. Have hand sanitiser on hand near the front door of your home and in your car for use after visiting a petrol station or touching items when you cannot immediately wash your hands.
• Cough or sneeze in disposable towels and throw them away.
• If you are using disposable gloves, when you take them off, immediately wash your hands thoroughly.
• Aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed public areas.
• Avoid touching your face at all times.
• Where possible, avoid touching surfaces when in someone else’s home.
• Follow a common sense approach when interacting with, or entering, people’s homes.

Read the full guidance document with specific advice for industry professionals in relation to home moving.