Can you move home during the COVID-19 lockdown?

April 29, 2022

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Tenants and home buyers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are allowed to move home, despite lockdown measures being imposed in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak.

Here, Which? explains the latest rules around the UK for individuals looking to purchase or rent a house.

What are the current COVID-19 rules?

COVID-19 measures vary across the UK, with every country setting its very own rules. The current restrictions are listed below:

England is under lockdown measures until a minimum of mid-February.
Scotland is within lockdown until at least the end of January.
Wales has been under lockdown measures since 29 December. The restrictions are set to be reviewed on Thursday 7 January, but they are likely to be extended.
Northern Ireland has been around lockdown since 26 December. The restrictions were imposed for any six-week period, having a review happening after four weeks (23 January).

You will discover much more about the restrictions within our full story around the current lockdown rules.

Can I move home?

Home buyers and renters can continue to move home during the lockdown in most parts of the UK, subject to sticking with social distancing measures.

The current rules are listed below:

England: buyers and renters can move home, and removals firms will remain open. Auctions and letting agents can continue to operate and conduct house viewings. People beyond your household or support bubble should only help with a move if ‘absolutely necessary’.
Scotland: house moves and viewings are permitted, in addition to activities in connection with purchasing, selling, letting or renting properties (for example removals, house surveys, valuations and handover of keys).
Wales: house moves are permitted when the moving date can’t be delayed until following the lockdown restrictions are lifted. Associated activities (for example those listed above) are permitted susceptible to social distancing. Begin to see the Welsh government’s full guidance on moving home.
Northern Ireland: house moves and associated activities are permitted during the lockdown.

How will house viewings work?

In-person house viewings are allowed across the UK. They must be arranged by appointment and be combined with an agent.

During viewings, social distancing measures should be adopted and all parties must wash their hands immediately upon entering the house. Viewers are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitiser and avoid touching surfaces. If social distancing isn’t possible, viewers and agents should think about wearing a face mask.

If possible, the present occupants should vacate the property during viewings to minimise contact with other households. They should allow use of hand-washing facilities and ideally provide separate towels or paper towels.

After the viewing, the home owner or tenant should clean surfaces and door handles, and wash towels.

To minimise the amount of in-person viewings taking place, you need to view properties virtually in the first instance.

What’s happening towards the property market?

The property market has been flourishing because the government cut stamp duty rates in July, but consumers have found it difficult to get moves over the line.

First-time buyers and residential movers have been facing significant delays to the home buying process, with soaring demand putting pressure on conveyancers, lenders and lenders. Many buyers have also seen their mortgage options cut by COVID-19.

The graph below shows how average house prices have risen over the UK since the pandemic began in March 2021.

Can I recieve a home loan payment holiday?

Homeowners in the UK can apply for mortgage payment holidays as much as 31 March.

How long a deferral you’ll be eligible for a depends on whether you’ve already were built with a payment holiday because the start of COVID-19 outbreak.

If you haven’t already removed a payment holiday, you can request deferrals up to and including maximum of 6 months.

If you have a payment holiday, you can extend this until you reach the six-month limit.

During the deferral period, interest will continue to accrue, so you must only apply for a payment holiday should you definitely need one.