New rules for un-vaccinated tenants
Moving house & un-vaccinated? New rules for unvaccinated tenants living with those with Covid.
The government has slowly been implementing new rules for the un-vaccinated and now are some further rules you need to be aware of.
New guidelines issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities say that…
...if a tenant or buyer is aged 18 years and six months or more;
...is not fully vaccinated; and
...if they live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for Covid
…then they must legally stay at home and self-isolate.
This would even be during the period when they would have been scheduled to have moved home.
However, the guidance goes on to say that if a buyer or tenant is fully vaccinated, or aged less than 18 years and six months, they are not legally required to self-isolate even if they live in the same household as someone with Covid.
In this case the new guidance says: “You are strongly advised to take a Lateral Flow Device test every day for seven days, and to self-isolate if any of these test results are positive.”
This is the first time since the start of the pandemic that the official guidance on house moves makes a distinction between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated tenant or buyer.
The new guidance also states: “We urge everyone involved in the home buying and selling process to continue to follow good hygiene practices, including regular hand-washing, sanitising, and cleaning. These measures will help prevent the spread of infection.’’
“We encourage all parties involved to be as flexible as possible and be prepared to delay moves, for example if one of those involved becomes ill with Covid-19 during the moving process or has to self-isolate.”
The new government statement also reiterates previous advice when it says: “Property agents, conveyancers and other professionals may choose to retain some modifications to how they work to reduce the risk from Covid-19. These changes could impact your move and may include initial virtual viewings before in-person viewings, asking you to vacate your current property during viewings, and ensuring your property is thoroughly cleaned before someone else views it or moves in. We would ask that you cooperate with these measures where they are in place.”
Avocado is continuing to minimise face-to-face contact and as much information as possible will be provided on all marketing details to ensure you are certain the property could work before organising an in-person viewing. All viewings will be at an arranged time and facemasks are required to be worn along with hand sanitising prior to appointment. Marketing details include photographs, floor plan, video including area and property tour.
If you are looking for a rental property then please feel free to self-register on the link below;
Maybe you are thinking of renting your home or have a property to let? If so, we’d love to have a chat! on the below link you can book a virtual or in-person valuation with myself, Mike or Ian;