Question: I am preparing to sell my house. What work can, or cannot be undertaken and who can enter my property?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
section_headers: Advice to the public
What does this mean for my property move or purchase which is scheduled whilst measures to fight coronavirus apply?
section_content: More detail on progressing the individual elements of the home buying and
selling or rental process and how this applies to different groups is set out
in the next section.
People are free to move home, however the process of finding and moving into a
new home is likely to be different, as those involved in the process will need
to adapt practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spread of
coronavirus is reduced as far as possible. It is vital that everyone stays
alert and safe.

Initial viewings should be done virtually wherever this is possible and property agents should help you to do this.
All physical viewings should be limited to members of the same household and open house viewings should not take place.
When physically viewing properties, where possible, you should avoid touching surfaces, wash your hands regularly, and bring your own hand sanitiser. The number of people on a viewing should be minimised to those from your household that absolutely have to be there. If you need to be accompanied by small children, you should try to keep them from touching surfaces and ensure they wash their hands regularly.
If people are being shown around your current home, you should open all internal doors and ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned after each viewing with standard household cleaning products.
As most people choose to, we recommend that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place in order to minimise your contact with those not in your household.
Anyone involved in any aspect of the home moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
When moving between properties, you and those in your household should try to do as much of the packing yourself as you can. Where this is not possible, you should speak to removal firms in advance. There is further advice about this below.
If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, then speak to the professionals involved, your landlord, estate agent or removers as they may be able to put in place extra measures.

Everyone involved in the moving process must follow social
distancing to minimise the
spread of the virus.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about what can and can't be done when selling houses during the pandemic.
This gives detail on how to sell houses during the pandemic and protocols to take but not necessarily  what work can be done or not.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
section_headers: Advice to the public
1. Preparing to buy, sell or move home
section_content: More detail on progressing the individual elements of the home buying and
selling or rental process and how this applies to different groups is set out
in the next section.
You can put your home on the market and start to look for properties you want
to move into. If any member of the household being viewed is showing symptoms
or is self-isolating then estate agents should not physically visit the
property.

You can begin to market your home and estate agents are able to visit in order to take photos/videos of the property.
To help prevent the spread of infection, we encourage people to do the majority of their property searching online; for example only physically viewing those properties which you believe you are most likely to want to move into.
As usual, you can also start to bring together the documentation necessary to sell your property (more information on these documents is available in the government’s guidance on how to sell homes).
If you wish to buy a new build property you should make contact with the developer in the usual way. You should be able to view the show home or visit the particular plot you are interested in purchasing, although there will be appointment systems in place.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has information specifically about selling houses during the pandemic.
This gives protocol on how to buy or sell a house during the pandemic

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
section_headers: Advice to industry
Tradespeople
section_content: Moving home is often a time when people want to undertake work to improve
their new home or prepare their old home for sale. This work can involve
fitting new kitchens, redecorating, and other home improvement work. This work
is also important when people aren’t moving home. It is a key way for
households and landlords to improve the home environment and address poor
quality accommodation while also providing important work for tradespeople
who’s businesses have been affected by the virus.
Tradespeople should follow the follow the government’s safer working guidance.
Companies should ensure employees understand how to operate safely and
communicate this to customers.

Tradespeople should contact the household in advance to check that no member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating. If they are, works should be delayed.
No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.
Tradespeople should wash their hands on entering the property using separate towels of paper towels which need to be washed or disposed of safely after use.
Tradespeople should seek to minimise contact with homeowners and remain 2 metres apart from householders at all times.
Tradespeople should implement a buddy system and ensure that the same people work together where this is needed.
Tradespeople should bring their own refreshments but you should ensure they have access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely afterwards.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about managing work on houses prior to selling during the pandemic.
This gives adequate information on steps to take while moving house with safety measures.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable