Can essential moves still take place?

Current advice from the government is that only essential moves can take place right now, so that we can all do our bit to help keep people safe.

However, we do know that you may have an essential reason for needing to move, such as if you’re a key worker and you need to live away from your family right now.

We’ve heard of a number of doctors and nurses taking up temporary lets near hospitals they are working at to avoid contact with their loved ones and to minimise any potential spread of the virus.

If you are a key worker or you do have another essential reason to move right now, you can have a look for an agent in your area and explain your situation to them.

We spoke to an agent who has been helping to make these moves happen across London to help explain how it’s working.

Marc von Grundherr is a director at Benham & Reeves and has been working in the property industry for more than 20 years.

What sorts of properties  are you helping offer to key workers?

It’s mainly studio and one-bedroom flats. We’ve been letting properties right across the capital and a couple near the Nightingale Hospital at the ExCeL Centre.

Practically speaking, how do the moves actually happen?

To help key workers find somewhere to live we show them a video of the property, check that they’re happy, and agree everything remotely.

Then a member of our team will drive to the property 20 minutes before the tenant arrives, turn on all the lights, clean down the switches and anything else they might have touched, wait outside and then make sure the tenant is in.

We’ll then dot the I’s and cross the T’s over WhatsApp or on the phone.

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With regard to the contracts, they’re usually a six-month contract with a break clause after one month.

Has there been much demand for these types of lets?

We saw quite high demand from key workers about a month or so ago.

We were naturally nervous about doing viewings and had to figure out a way they could work logistically while adhering to social distancing rules, and we still do virtual viewings, too.

We’ve facilitated moves for around 30 key workers, mainly those in the police and healthcare.

How have landlords helped with this initiative?

Before all of this happened, landlords were understandably hoping to find long-term tenants for their properties. But now they want to help do their bit, and are happy that they’re able to help out key workers, with a lot offering a lower price for them.

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I think that 99% of landlords are empathetic to the situation.

The key workers have been thankful and are just happy to have found a home close to their hospital or place of work.

To find an agent on Rightmove, click here.