BREAKING: Government says agents may stay open..
The Government has just announced that estate and letting agents can open their branches during the forthcoming lockdown.
Uncertainty over whether estate and letting agencies will be classified as essential services under Thursday’s lockdown rules, has been clarified.
In a statement to the industry, the Government says:
“Buying, selling and renting a home can continue, in a COVID-secure way, as it has in recent months. Estate and letting agents can operate, show homes and sales suites can remain open and property viewings, mortgage valuations and surveys can take place.”
Subject to approval, the Regulations specifically state that activities relating to the sector are allowed to continue under Exceptions to leaving home:
to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting
or rental of a residential property—
(i) visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;
(ii) viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent;
(iii) preparing a residential property to move in;
(iv) moving house;
(v) visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or
sale of that property;
Commenting for Propertymark, Timothy Douglas, Policy and Communications Manager said, “Following the laying of regulations for national lockdown measures in England we are very pleased that the hard work of our members and the importance of the property sector has been recognised with exceptions in the rules for home moves as well as visits to branches and allowing agents to visit property to undertake any required activities. This is of course, subject to approval by Parliament. However, at this stage all the indications are that buying, selling and renting a home will continue and must be done in a COVID secure way and in accordance with the guidance.”
