Scottish surge - agents and movers resume work on June 29

It’s been confirmed by the Scottish Government that the housing market north of the border resumes for business - and house moves - from Monday week, June 29. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says that as part of the move to what her administration calls phase two of the four-part relaxation of the lockdown, estate agents and other property professionals may resume work from that date.

This means that businesses involved in the purchase, sale, letting, or rental of homes are permitted to prepare their staff and their premises for the relaxation of restrictions on housing moves, which might include:

- undertaking travel to their premises to check for readiness;

- making changes to implement their safe operating procedures, such as putting up notices and protective screens, marking distances on the floor;

- briefing staff on safe operating procedures, virtually where at all possible to do so.

Rightmove says that since the housing market closed in Scotland in late March, new listings for sale have dropped by more than 90 per cent and new properties to rent have dropped to a lesser extent, by 40 per cent. 

“There was a noticeable uplift in people enquiring about properties in Scotland after the market opened in England” Rightmove adds.

Sales demand in Scotland dropped by 73 per cent between March 24 and May 13 but is now running at just 20 per cent down. 

Rental demand dropped by 50 per cent compared to last year but is now actually up 15 per cent on last year, in anticipation of the Scottish housing market being able to reopen.