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Scottish government puts freeze on housing market during coronavirus crisis
The Scottish government has joined the UK government in putting a freeze on the housing market as new guidance urges people to delay moving home.
The government guidance, which applies to people buying or selling private residential homes in Scotland, has urged individuals to “delay moving to a new home while stay-at-home measures are in place”.
It read: “In light of the risks to health arising from COVID-19, no one should be contemplating a home move involving not only themselves but any other parties in the process, eg sellers still in residence, solicitors, surveyors, removal companies or estate agents and their relevant support staff.
“A home move involves many others, over and above the purchaser, who should not be asked to place themselves at risk.”
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In cases where move dates have already been arranged, the government is encouraging all parties to “do all they can to amicably agree alternative dates to move, for a time when it is likely that stay-at-home measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) will no longer be in place”.
For individuals whose home is already on the market, the government is advising that only virtual viewings of the property are arranged.
Meanwhile, house builders are being advised that they can continue to take online reservations and work with their customers to line up sales for completion in the future.
It follows a similar move by the UK government, which published advice last week asking people to delay moving home in order to avoid breaking social distancing rules.
The freeze is expected to impact housing associations that build a high volume of homes for private or shared ownership. However, sector bodies told Inside Housing that landlords have contingencies in place to deal with this.
