We may be in the midst of another lockdown in England, but this time regulations won’t prevent you from making progress on a home purchase or sale.
Unlike the situation in April, this time around the government is allowing estate agents, conveyancers and house moving companies to continue working. However, as with so much of 2020, things are still a little different, so here’s a quick update on what is new:
Digital ID
Digital identification has become widespread through the industry, with many conveyancers now offering this service to their clients.
Whereas previously conveyancers would require clients to come in person to their offices with a passport and proof of address, now many firms use systems that are linked to the government’s Verify service.
In order to use this service, you need to have a UK address but you don’t need to be a UK citizen. The online system asks for some personal details, which are then checked against records held by mobile phone providers, credit agencies, HM Passport Office or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
This service saves both clients and conveyancers time, and avoids an unnecessary face to face meeting.
E-signatures
In July, the Land Registry replaced the need to physically sign legal documents with electronic signatures. Although the service does still require a witness to be physically present, it does nonetheless, speed up the process of moving and makes it easier for all parties.
There are plans underway for physical witnesses to be replaced by technology that digitally verifies the witness, which will be an exciting development for both consumers and conveyancers, and is something we may see as early as next year.
Timelines
Patience is a virtue, so we’re told, and 2020 has been teaching it to us in spades. However, while many of you will no doubt hear tales from friends and family of people who either purchased very quickly, or bemoaned a process that took months, the reality is that under normal circumstances, the house buying process in England usually takes an average of 14 weeks.
With the pent-up demand that the first lockdown created, and the current stamp duty holiday, the market has been flooded with buyers and sellers alike, and the average purchase is now around 20 weeks.
Although we are only just at the start of winter, and the end of March and the spring may seem very far away, in the world of home buying and selling, it really isn’t that long at all.
Unless you are already in the process of buying or selling your home, the chances are it is unlikely that your purchase would now complete in time to meet the stamp duty holiday deadline.
However, that shouldn’t deter you from buying or selling. While the stamp duty holiday is undoubtedly providing a financial relief to many, it isn’t the be all and end all of the property market.
House movers
While officially allowed to work by the government, the nature of the work done by house movers makes social distancing very difficult, if not impossible.
So many house moving companies have had to adapt their processes in order to keep both their staff, and customers safe.
It would definitely be a good idea to contact a few in your area well in advance of your move to discuss your requirements, and to see what advice they provide as to their processes and timelines.
If you are about to start the process of buying or selling a home you can find a CLC regulated conveyancer on our website here.
Stephen Ward is director of strategy and external relations at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers
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