As the UK continues it's fight to reduce the spread of coronavirus, we hope that these FAQs and guidance to those who are actively looking to buy, sell, rent or let property are proven useful.
The government have released full guidance for homemovers which you can read here. In addition, we have carried out a risk assessment and have produced infographics to explain to viewers and owners/occupiers how viewings will be conducted while our country continues to fight the battle against COVID-19. These have been sent to our active database by email. It has been confirmed that the residential property market will remain operational during national lockdown 2021.
If you are particularly worried about the risk of infection, please speak to us.
As ever, our priority is the safety of our staff, our clients and their families. We remain vigilant, with extra precautions in place, and will continue to keep you abreast of any developments; but please know that we are here, answering calls, emails and offering as much industry advice as possible to help you with your move.
Our thoughts continue to be with all those who have been personally affected by COVID-19 as well as the many communities around the world who are facing extreme measures in the attempt to slow it's spread.
Please note that any face-to-face appointments or property visits cannot take place where a member of the household has presented with coronavirus symptoms or tested positive for coronavirus within the last 14 days. In line with government advice, our staff will be required to check before any viewing or visit if any party has had COVID-19 or shown symptoms, are shielding or clinically vulnerable, or are currently self-isolating.
See the full government guidance for homemovers.
Yes we are! Some of our staff are continuing to work from home where possible, but our branches are now re-open.
Please bear in mind that whilst people are now free to move home, the process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different to how you remember it! We hope to have covered most queries on this page, but if there's anything else you'd like to know please contact us.
Yes you can, however all visits are by appointment only. Please contact your local branch to arrange your visit.
The safety and well-being of our staff and clients is always our primary concern. We have conducted a full risk assessment for each of our offices and have issued a "COVID Secure" document to each member of our team. These documents contains guidlines on how to conduct business during the fight against the coronavirus.
If you would like a copy of any of the above, please contact us.
You are able to arrange a valuation, photographs and EPC's in order to get your property on the market.
Jacobs Steel have conducted a full risk assessment and put suitable measures in place to ensure the risk of spreading the virus remains low.
Our consultants will be required to wear new PPE on all appointments and sanitise or wash their hands between each visit. Social distancing guidance must be followed during all appointments.
There are also strict procedures in place within our offices to ensure the risk of spreading the virus remains as low as possible.
As a minimum, we ask that you wear a mask during a visit to one of our properties; and for sellers to properly clean/disinfect door handles and such once our representative has left your property.
You can arrange in-person viewings on a property; however the government advice is to ensure these are kept to a minimum. We are therefore continuing to offer virtual appointments.
To help prevent the spread of infection, the government is encouraging 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. You can begin your search on our website, Rightmove, Zoopla and/or On The Market.
We understand that not everyone is able or ready to view properties in person; so our LIVE video viewings will still be an option for both buyers and vendors.
Absolutely. You are free to make or accept an offer or reserve a property as normal.
We have always operated a booking system for viewings and yes, you do still have to book in advance. Sellers should not show anyone round their home without a booked appointment through Jacobs Steel.
In theory, yes. However, if we are informed that any member of one of our vendors' household has had COVID-19 or shown symptoms, are shielding or clinically vulnerable or are currently self-isolating, we will not be conducting any viewings until the required 14-day isolation period has lapsed.
We will absolutely attempt to accompany all booked viewings. Where viewings are unaccompanied, we will make absolutely sure that both viewers and homeowners understand how they should conduct themselves.
The government has made it clear that viewings are to be staggered to avoid overlapping; which means we are unable to conduct in-person open houses. We are looking at options that allow us to do this virtually.
Like many firms, conveyancers have adopted working from home and have been doing so successfully throughout lockdown. The most recent government advice to conveyancers is that they should continue to do so, where possible.
If you don't yet have a conveyancer, we are able to recommend local, reliable firms that we have dealt with personally over the years. Contact your local Jacobs Steel branch to discuss.
Your surveyor can undertake surveys of the property you wish to purchase.
Surveyors should not enter a property where a member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating.
Where possible, the government encourage inspections to take place by appointment only, with one person visiting the property at any time. Surveyors should follow government guidance for professionals working in other people’s homes and guidance on social distancing.
If your home is being surveyed, you should ensure the surveyor has access to all the parts of the property they need to inspect, and make efforts to minimise contact with the surveyor, for example by staying in another room whilst they are inspecting your home.
Yes, you are free to exchange, complete and move home! Anyone involved in any aspect of the home moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
Removal firms are able to operate, although they may need to adjust usual procedures in order to ensure moves happen as safely as possible.
We would encourage you to contact removal firms as early as possible in advance of your move.
It is possible to arrange valuations, photographs and EPC's in order to get your property on the market.
Jacobs Steel have conducted a full risk assessment and put suitable measures in place to ensure the risk of spreading the virus remains low.
If your rental property is vacant, we are happy to collect a key and attend alone; or meet you there, in which case social distancing guidance must be followed. If the property is tenanted, we will make suitable arrangements with your tenants and discuss the latest government guidance on how to safely attend an occupied property.
We would advise you/your tenant to properly clean/disinfect door handles and such once our representative has left your property.
Yes, it is now possible to take out new rent guarantee insurance policies. Our Lettings Manager can discuss this with you in more depth.
As per the governments advice, landlords should make every effort to abide by gas and electrical safety requirements, which continue to be of great importance for tenants’ safety. There are circumstances where this may not be possible during the coronavirus outbreak. See further Health and Safety Executive guidance on how to deal with specific circumstances
The government has put in place protections for tenants during the coronavirus outbreak, including legislation to delay when landlords are able to start proceedings to evict tenants.
While broader measures to protect tenants during the coronavirus outbreak remain in place, the government advice is that landlords should endeavour to avoid ending tenancies where the tenant wants, and is able, to stay.
You can view the government guidance on coronavirus and renting, which explains these protections in greater detail here.
If possible, necessary repairs, gas and electrical safety checks should be conducted in the period between a property being vacated and a new tenant moving in. If this is not possible and visits are needed to an occupied property, this should be done by appointment with measures put in place to ensure physical contact is minimised. We can put you in touch with available contractors.
Updated 05 January 2021
Yes, you are free to move home! Anyone involved in any aspect of the home moving process should practice social distancing in line with public health advice.
It is possible to arrange in-person viewings on a property; however the government advice is to ensure these are kept to a minimum.
To help prevent the spread of infection, the government is encouraging 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. You can begin your search on our website, Rightmove, Zoopla and/or On The Market.
We have strict protocol in place, in line with government advice, to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, our clients and our tenants. You can see our viewing process here.
If you still feel nervous or unsure, please speak to us.
There is a lot that we are able to do remotely, however, should we need to meet with you in person this will be by appointment, social distancing and handwashing guidance will be followed and both you and our representative will need to wear a face covering.
We are kindly asking that whilst our country is still trying to slow the spread of coronavirus, only absolutely essential maintenance issues are reported.
Please report maintenance issues in the usual way and we will discuss health and safety protocol with you.
Worthing
54 Chapel Road
Worthing
BN11 1BE
01903 206000
West Worthing
4 Wallace Parade
Goring Road
Worthing
BN12 4AL
01903 506080
Hove
190 Portland Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 5QN
01273 956690
Findon
228 Findon Road
Worthing
BN14 0EJ
01903 873999
Lancing
28 North Road
Lancing
BN15 9AB
01903 750335
Shoreham
31 Brunswick Road
Shoreham-by-Sea
BN43 5WA
01273 441341
Lettings
2 Broadwater Boulevard
Worthing
BN14 8JE
01903 506040
Land & New Homes
54 Chapel Road
Worthing
BN11 1BE
01903 792177
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