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With Scotland in a five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions, England placed under a four-week lockdown, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland in the middle of temporary lockdowns, there is much confusion about what is and is not allowed.

As the government increases measures to tackle the coronavirus infection rate, the Scottish Government has updated its guidance on home moves accordingly. It has been a challenging time this year for those looking to move house, however the latest announcement clarifies that all home moves will continue to be permitted, provided they can be carried out safely.

Scotland’s housing market is experiencing a post lockdown boom, following months of inactivity due to coronavirus restrictions. With homes finally coming to the market again, asking prices reaching a record high, and properties being snapped up at closing dates, solicitors and estate agents in Perth are seeing a surge of activity. Buying your first home is both exciting and daunting, but getting on to the property ladder can sometimes be challenging.

Following on from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, the Scottish Government has also announced a temporary holiday on LBTT (the equivalent of Stamp Duty in England) in order to get the housing market in Scotland moving again. In Scotland, homebuyers have been required to pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on residential properties over £145,000, with the exception of first-time buyers in Scotland who are not required to pay LBTT on a property purchase up to £175,000. However now the threshold has been increased to £250,000 – this is a temporary cut running until 31 March 2021.