Welsh Government News On Moving Home

Moving home during the coronavirus pandemic

What to do if you want to move home, arrange a viewing or allow estate agents, surveyors and removal workers into your home.

Part of:

Homeowners: coronavirus and Renting a home: coronavirus

First published:

19 June 2020

Last updated:

19 June 2020

Moving home is not appropriate whilst you pose a direct risk of transmitting coronavirus. People who have coronavirus or are self-isolating with other members of their household should not leave their home to either move home, or undertake property viewings in person. They should strictly follow the self-isolation guidance.

When you can move home

From 22 June 2020, you can move home if your sale or tenancy has been agreed but not yet completed and if the property you are moving to is unoccupied (nobody is living in the property at the time you move) and has been empty for at least three days, or it has been deep cleaned. This includes new-build properties.

These moves do not involve different households being inside a property at the same time, so the risk of transmission of coronavirus is lower. 

When you should not move 

You should not move to a property unless it has been empty for at least three days, or the property has been deep cleaned. 

Putting your home on the market

You can put your home on the market, but potential buyers or tenants cannot view your property in person if you are living in it or it is occupied. 

Marketing of occupied properties can begin. Valuations and other related activities should be carried out in line with safe working requirements. Initial viewings can only be carried out virtually. 

Marketing and viewing of unoccupied properties can take place. 

Viewing homes

You can view unoccupied properties in person but you must follow physical distancing guidance and keep good hand hygiene. 

You cannot view occupied homes (where someone is still living). It is important viewings do not involve different households being inside at the same time, as the risk of transmission of coronavirus is higher. Virtual viewings of a home can be provided by a letting agent, estate agent or landlord.

Moving from Wales to England

You can move across the border to England. 

If you are moving into Wales, you should only move to properties that are unoccupied and have been empty for at least three days or have been deep cleaned.

Moving more than five miles away from where you live 

You can move more than five miles away from where you live but should only move to properties that are unoccupied and have been empty for at least three days, or have been deep cleaned.

Allowing estate agents, surveyors or removal workers into your home

Estate agents, surveyors or removal workers are allowed into a property. They need to follow the physical distancing in the workplace guidance. 

Visiting estate and letting agent premises

Estate and Letting Agents are allowed to open but we encourage them to minimise the need for people to visit their offices in person, but if you do, they will need to ensure you do so in accordance with the Guidance to employers and businesses on COVID-19.

Visiting new build housing site sales offices

Sales offices are allowed to open but we encourage them to minimise the need for people to visit their offices in person, but if you do, they will need to ensure you do so in accordance with the Guidance to employers and businesses on COVID-19.