From Monday 29 June, restrictions on housing moves will be eased in Scotland.
From Monday 29 June, restrictions on housing moves will be eased in Scotland as part of the easing of its lockdown measures.
This will allow valuations and viewings to take place, and marks the initial stage in the reopening of the Scottish housing market.
This development in Scotland follows a similar move to ease lockdown on 19 June in Wales, which saw the government allow viewings to take place in vacant properties, and to ease restrictions on house moves where a sale has been agreed, but not yet completed.
In England, it has been more than a month since equivalent changes were made on 13 May.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: “The sacrifices that have been made – and I know how hard and at times painful they have been – have suppressed the virus.
"They have also protected the NHS, and have undoubtedly saved a significant number of lives.
“They have also brought us to the position where we can now look ahead with a bit more clarity to our path out of lockdown, and I hope details announced today will provide people and businesses with more certainty in their forward planning.
“But let me be clear that each step on this path depends on us continuing to beat the virus back. That is why we must do everything in our power to avoid steps being reversed.
“The central point in all of this is the virus has not - and it will not - go away of its own accord. It will pose a real and significant threat to us for some time to come.
“Maintaining our progress also means all of us abiding by public health guidance.
"Wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, avoiding crowded places, washing our hands and cleaning surfaces regularly, maintaining physical distancing, agreeing to immediately self-isolate and get a test if we have symptoms - all of these basic protections matter now more than ever as we all get out and about a bit more.”
A statement from the Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS, said: "This package marks a significant unlocking of the regulations and, for many aspects of daily life in Wales, we are moving into the amber phase of our traffic light system.
"We have been able to do this because of the actions everyone in Wales has taken to date in complying with the stay-at-home and stay local rules.
"We need everyone to continue to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones as we find a way to live and work alongside coronavirus.
"This means working from home wherever possible, maintaining social distancing and frequent handwashing.
"For some people it may mean wearing a face covering in certain situations, for others it will mean continuing to shield.
"I want to thank everyone for everything they have done so far. Together we can keep Wales safe."
Mark Hayward, chief executive at NAEA Propertymark and David Cox, chief executive of ARLA Propertymark, said: "It’s great news for consumers and the industry in Scotland that the property market is reopening on Monday.
"Whilst it is not a return to normal, the new guidelines will allow members of the public to view, purchase, rent and move into new properties...reinvigorating the housing market and boosting the economy.
"Of course, safety is paramount, and we encourage all agents to follow the Propertymark guidelines on property viewings and moves closely to protect themselves and others."
