We’re still on the move

Covid has thrown the housing market a curve ball but it’s still possible to find your perfect home

QI HAD been planning to move house at the start of this year but I have to say I’m a bit confused by all of the new rules and regulations that are in force because of coronavirus.

Can I still sell my house and buy another one or do you think I would be better waiting until things get back to normal later this year?

Derek Calder

AI’LL deal with this question in two parts, first of all by looking at what you can and can’t do at the moment and then by looking at when you should and shouldn’t be doing it. First of all it is still possible to move house at the moment. Assuming no further restrictions are announced between the time I write this and the time you read it (and there’s no guarantee of that, things are moving so quickly at the moment) then it’s possible to buy and sell all over Scotland. There are, of course, rules that have to be obeyed for anyone involved in the buying and selling process as Alan Cumming, estate agency director at Aberdein Considine Solicitors and Estate Agents, explained. He said: “The new lockdown rules in Scotland bring in a range of restrictions which will limit various activities but it is important for people to be aware that the housing market remains open – moving home, including viewing properties, is classed as an essential purpose under which individuals can leave their home.

“This is particularly critical for those who already have transactions in the pipeline and the Scottish Government has been clear that house moves can continue to take place.

“It goes without saying that this only applies if all people involved are free of any coronavirus symptoms and neither they nor any of their house hold are self-isolating.

“And of course people must also adhere to physical distancing regulations and guidance.”

The Government restrictions that Alan refers to were introduced with the most recent changes in rules and were designed to help people understand what they can and can’t do when it comes to buying and selling property.

The Government’s main concern with these regulations is to make sure that all activities involved in the process are carried out safely.

I’ve quoted below from the Government guidelines to help you understand what can and can’t be done at the moment:

“People can move home in all