Valuations continue to take place throughout national lockdown.

Following government announcements on the 4th January regarding the 2021 national lockdown we wanted to reassure our brokers that physical valuations are still allowed to be undertaken in England and Wales following the same strict guidance from RICS

The government guidelines set out what precautions are needed when working in other people’s properties. These include:

• 2m social distancing should be maintained at all times 
• Asking households to leave all internal and external doors and windows open to minimise contact and leave loft hatches open with the ladder down if there is one
• Communication with residents before any meetings to set out social distancing and hygiene measures to be followed
• No works should be carried out if either residents or inspectors have any Coronavirus symptoms, are isolating or shielding

Our valuers Allied have also stated that their protocol for dealing with HMOs and Multi-Let valuations has now changed and the property will now need to be vacant 30 mins prior to the inspection.

If these requirements are not met and the valuer has to abort the valuation either before starting or during the valuation, then the fee will not be refunded.

Due to the restrictions that need to be implemented valuations will probably take up to 10 working days or longer dependent on property type.

Please find below the specific guidance notes from our valuers which outline their protocol for valuations to take place:

Connells guidance notes for valuation inspections >>

Allied guidance notes for valuation inspections >>

Gateway guidance notes for valuation inspections >>