Finn's Newsletter: Winter 2021, Issue No.3

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">How to maximise what you can see without physically viewing</span>

 

It goes without saying that COVID-19 had a massive ripple effect on the world, and of course, the property market wasn’t left untouched by this.

 

We have seen radical changes within the sector, as agents like ourselves look at ways to adapt and evolve in order to meet new needs from our clients and colleagues.

 

One of the ways we've done that as an industry is to introduce new elements to our offering, substituting face-to-face meetings for online consultations that can be conducted safely.

 

Now, months after we've settled into this new way of doing things, a common question we get asked is ‘how can I maximise non-physical viewings?’

The benefits of non-physical viewings

A perk of non-physical viewings is being able to see the property without having to make unnecessary trips in-person to view a property, which is key in light of the current situation and restrictions.

 

Spending more time looking at online property listings, virtual tours or videos allows you to browse a larger number of homes than it may have been possible to physically view; particularly if you find it difficult to find time outside of work to arrange appointments.

 

So, this already means that you have the opportunity to see more properties in less time and refine the criteria you have by being exposed to more choice.

 

Another key benefit is that by starting your search online, you can quickly gain a feel for the homes that you want to see again, whilst identifying those that aren't suited to your needs.

 

In terms of maximising your time when talking to an agent screen-to-screen, we'd advise asking them about the natural flow of the rooms to help you envision the space more clearly, as well as the standard questions you'd otherwise ask on the seller's reasons for moving, whether there's a chain and the current conditions for the property's boiler and water pressure.

 

As we can appreciate that you'll want to see a select few properties in-person when you've narrowed down your search, there are tips for making in-person viewings right now, such as:

 

- Arranging the viewing by appointment, with only one household in the property to minimise contact

 

- Wearing a mask and using sanitising gel at the start and end of the viewing

 

- Asking any questions outside of the property so that you don't feel rushed to exit and miss anything important

How can we help?

Speak to a member of our dedicated team for any support you may need.

 

 

 

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Why did virtual viewings surge in January?</span>

 

Online property viewing activity continues to surge due to stay at home demands from the UK government.

 

It has also been noted within the sector that buyer behaviour has changed – perhaps irrevocably – to include an initial viewing stage.

 

Whereas initially a prospective buyer might select a number of properties to visit in-person, those decisions are now being made more and more commonly online, leading to property shortlists and speeding up how quickly it can take someone to find the right property for them by maximising exposure to the whole market early on. 

 

Now that those within the sector have had 12 months to respond to the pandemic, we've been able to make great advancements in virtual viewing technology as an industry, and this has seen virtual viewings reach a record high in usage of 850% throughout the beginning of 2021.

 

Potential buyers now have access to incredibly realistic ‘walk-through’ property tours, giving them and sellers peace of mind with the sales process.

 
Ultimately, virtual viewings have provided protection during the pandemic, whilst maximising the exposure of properties on the market.

 

However, another bonus is the convenience and ease provided to all parties, as sellers find they no longer need to live in a constant state of 'showroom ready' conditions, and buyers can cut down on the amount of back and forth travelling across different cities to find the home that matches their criteria.

 

To learn more about how we've adapted our processes to accommodate safer viewings and appointments, contact us today.

 

*Spec.

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">750,000 buyers have seen stamp duty savings so far</span>

 

It's been estimated that 600,000 homebuyers agreeing a sale from May 2020 onwards will not pay any stamp duty at all and are set to be saving £5 billion in total – that is an average of £4,660 each, according to Zoopla.

 

Last month, many questioned whether the further 140,500 waiting to complete would be able to do so in time for the March 31st deadline, but in light of the government's March Budget announcement, those concerns are no longer necessary.

 

Not only have the government extended the stamp duty holiday for another three months – taking us to June 30th – but the scheme will also have a staggered ending, with properties worth £250,000 or under eligible for savings of up to £2,500 until 30th September this year.

 

Along with an extended furlough scheme and the re-introduction of government-guaranteed 95% mortgage loans, these initiatives will protect the property market and mean that homeowners, first-time buyers and investors are shielded from a sudden withdrawal of support.

 

Who does this affect?

With the stamp duty only paid on completion, it has not only benefitted those already in the process of buying when this announcement was made but also acted as an incentive for other buyers to move before the original 31st March deadline.

 

This demand and more homes on the market has boosted overall activity levels in the property sector.

 

So, given the extension, it's predicted that we'll see a strong spring and summer for property sales, having already demonstrated above average seasonal averages for the previous winter.

 

 

What can I do to speed up my property transaction?

If you’re in the process of buying a home, there are a number of steps you can take to help make the conveyancing process go as smoothly as possible.

1. Make sure you have all the relevant paperwork to hand.

2. Respond to any additional information as quickly as possible.

3. If you need to sign any documents and return them to your solicitor, deliver them by hand.

4. Communicate regularly with your solicitor and estate agent to keep everything on track. Maybe agree to have weekly updates from everyone involved.

5. Prepare to be flexible. 

 

Research Director from Zoopla – Richard Donnell – commented last month that “demand for housing started 2021 as strongly as last year", going on to say that at the time, there was "limited evidence of new buyers being put off by the proposed ending" of the stamp holiday on the 31st March.

Contact us today for more information or to get started with your next sale or property purchase.

 

 

 

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Landlords urged to comply with electrical safety regulations</span>

 

What are the new electrical safety standards?

The new electrical safety standards require landlords to ensure the safety of all electrical wiring and fixed electrical installations are tested and signed off for each of their properties.

 

If the test highlights any investigative or corrective work, the landlord has 28 days to rectify the issue.

What exactly needs to be tested?

The fixed electrical parts of the property.

• Wiring
• Socket outlets
• Light fittings
• Fuse box
• Showers
• Extractor fans

What does not need to be tested?

The new regulations state that the tenant is responsible for portable electrical appliances and therefore tests on these items are not required.

 

However, it is recommended that the landlord carries out tests on the portable appliance items they provide for good practice.*

When will the new standards be enforced?

For existing tenancies, an electrical safety test will need to be carried out by 1st April 2021.

For new tenancies, all electrical installations must be tested before the tenancy begins.

Who can carry out the electrical safety test?

Only a qualified electrician can carry out the test. Guidance for choosing a competent tester:

- Electrical Safety Roundtable
- Registered Competent Person Electrical single mark and register

What do you need to do as a landlord once the test has been completed?

- Provide a copy of the electrical safety report to each tenant in their existing properties within 28 days of the inspection.

- If requested, provide the local authority with a copy within seven days.

- Supply a copy of the safety report carried out to the electrician conducting the next safety report.

- Provide a copy of the most recent report to any new tenants.

- If requested, provide a copy of the most recent report to any new prospective tenants within 28 days.

- Electrical installations must then be tested every five years.

What happens if landlords do not carry out corrective work highlighted by the report?

The local authority has the right to enter the property (with the tenant's permission) to rectify the problem and will notify the landlord of this action.

 

The local authority can then bill landlords for the cost of any work completed by them.

 

If any issues highlighted within the report are not rectified within 28 days, landlords will potentially be faced with a fine of up to £30,000.

Landlords have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against any decision of the local authority.

 

Due to current restrictions with the pandemic, many within the sector are concerned about ensuring their compliance in time with qualified help.

 

If you'd like to talk about this in more detail, visit our website or learn more about our services for landlords.

*GOV.UK