News broke yesterday evening that Regulations covering travel restrictions are relaxed from today (May 13th) enabling estate agents, surveyors, and valuers to go to carry out their work in England.
It was followed by a formal announcement by the Housing Minister.
The change to the Regulations amended legislation that had limited travelling to and from properties for “non-essential purposes”, and effectively gave the green light to a resumption of activity in the industry.
As a result, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick was expected to announce today that the housing market in England could resume.
Then, without warning, at 10pm last night MHCLG put out a press release that pre-empted or possibly replaced a verbal statement by the Minister. It read:
From today [sic] anyone in England can move home if they follow new guidance published by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Since lockdown restrictions were implemented in March, more than 450,000 people have been unable to progress their plans to move house.
All buyers and renters will now be able to complete purchases and view properties in person, while estate agents, conveyancers and removals firms can return to work while following social distancing guidelines.”
Jenrick said in the release:
“Today [sic] I am announcing new guidelines to allow the housing market to resume. Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process from viewings to removals.
“Our step by step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved.
“This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so.”
There is no word yet on Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Earlier in the evening EYE was the first industry publication to break the news of the change and a storm of activity opened up on the site and on social media, since the legislation amendement had caught everyone by surprise.
There was widespread disbelief and confusion over the sudden change, not least because only the day before Jenrick had said the government was not ready to ease restrictions on the housing market.
Early reactions suggested many cannot understand why it is not permissible to meet family members more than one to one outdoors but it is now fine to work with others in an office and to enter occupied property.
From today, estate agents can open, viewings can be carried out and removal firms and conveyancers can restart operations.
Purchasers and tenants will be allowed to visit show homes and view houses on the market to let or buy.
Those who have bought a new home will be able to visit it to prepare for moving in.
Kevin Hollinrake M.P., himself an agent, tweeted last night:
“Great news that the housing market opens up again tomorrow morning for views, valuations, exchanges, check ins, completions.
“Will kick start many parts of the economy.
“All activities subject to comprehensive social distancing rules of course.”
David Cox, Chief Executive of ARLA Propertymark and Mark Hayward, Chief Executive of NAEA Propertymark reacted with:
“It’s great news for consumers and the industry that the housing market is being opened up and people can let, rent, buy and sell properties again.
“The new regulations provide clarity to agents and will allow them to deal with pent up demand from consumers.
“It’s also a step to reinvigorating the housing market and will be a boost to the economy.
“Safety of course will be paramount, and we would encourage everyone to ensure that they follow Government guidelines closely to protect others and themselves.”
Iain McKenzie, CEO of The Guild of Property Professionals said:
“The announcement that estate and lettings agents can return to work is excellent news for both the industry and the greater economy with housing related activity making up a substantial contribution to GDP.
“However, it is imperative that the sector returns to work with clear COVID-19 safe guidelines, taking into consideration the concerns of colleagues and customers.”
Andy Marshall, Chief Commercial Officer, Zoopla, said:
“We’re delighted that the Government has recognised the need to restart the property market, permitting estate agents to operate – within the parameters of common sense social distancing.
“Now is the time to get the market moving and to restore it to full health.”
Dominic Agace, Chief Executive of Winkworth estate agents, said:
“This is great news. We have a socially distanced work environment plan to manage the business and can implement it quickly to ensure that we can go back to full operations.
“This will enable our customers to move on to the next stage in their lives, releasing the anxieties caused by the lockdown.”
Read the Regulations amending document here.
EYE urges all those who engaged in agency work to take the highest levels of precaution to avoid infecting themselves, their customers, their loved ones, or anyone else.
The measures relating to social distancing and protection against infection still apply absolutely.
Take time to properly plan your return to work strategies, don’t rush back in simply to steal a march on your competitors.
Employers have the obligations to adhere to the safety guidance that was published on Monday (see below)
Covid-19 is still a very real threat and a second wave of infections will put us back into tight lockdown.
If the government has made a wrong call on this and let the industry off the leash too soon, we will all pay a price.
Please, put safety ahead of profit.
Stay safe everyone.
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Are many actually opening offices today?
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No.
We will not open until we feel it safe for our staff and their families.
I will be monitoring the infected cases on a daily basis for at least 4 weeks before making a decision to open.
Employees shouldn’t be pressured to come to work.
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No, not yet
We will take time to make sure that it is safe for not only the public, but us and our families too. We will, like Property Poke, be monitoring cases and make a decision about opening in a few weeks.
We have been working from home and doing okay with it, so do not see the need to rush things.
Let’s make sure there isn’t a sudden increase in case numbers first and then make those important decisions about going back.
I do however appreciate that some may be keen to return in the fullest capacity, and good luck to them but for us… we wait.
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We’re likely to go for Monday. We need to get high grade office cleans and additional PPE. We had them booked luckily enough, but not carried out yet.
Plus anyone who had a furlough payment arrived the end of last month needs to be off 3 weeks before you can claim another one – send them back prior to that and you have to pay for the last 12 days or so.
im also after clarity we can do valuations – anyone know?
Good luck all. Let’s not blow this by not doing things by the book!!
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coleface – excert from regulation in link above’ ” (v) visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property;”
Tempted to say ‘RTFM’ but that would be too easy! 😉
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I think you can take staff off furlough if they have already been furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks within one period without losing the additional payments. It reads as continuous periods not blocks of 3 weeks
Minimum furlough periods
Any employees you place on furlough must be furloughed for a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks. When they return to work, they must be taken off furlough. Employees can be furloughed multiple times, but each separate instance must be for a minimum of 3 consecutive weeks. Each period of furlough can be extended by any amount of time whilst the employee is on furlough. However the scheme end date is the last day you can claim for through this scheme.
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In the daily briefings I have yet to hear a scientific expert say that it is fine to reopen the property market. I want the market open as soon as it is safe but this feels like the government putting economics before safety and I fear it will lead to disaster.
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You do realise that over 98% of deaths are from those in at-risk categories with pre-existing conditions? Did you close your office during the 2014/15 flu epidemic?
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How long before a viewer catches Covid 19 and then accuses the source being the viewing they insisted on attending and takes legal action against the agent?
Likewise, a physical valuation and accusing the agent of bringing it in to the house?
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This is a ‘deadly’ serious point. Any agent opening their business without having a lawyer review their professional indemnity insurance is taking a massive risk. If I went on a viewing and caught COVID, I would instruct my wife that if I died I wouldn’t even to be buried before she had hit the agent with a £5 million lawsuit for causing my death by failing to protect me.
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Even the BBC realises that such suits won’t stick. You cannot prove where you catch a virus.
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Employers were told by Government the other day you are liable under Health and Safety Regulations.
Playing with fire? What a dilemma!
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While I welcome the ability to work and earn money again, I am surprised by this move at this stage. Safety is paramount and we still have an estimated 130,000 people in the UK currently with COVID-19.
Main thing is how you can reassure vendors that the measures you can take will protect them in their own homes!
Last thing we want is our industry to be blamed as a contributor to a second wave!
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Germany going back into lockdown as TRIPLE cases reported after they returned to work.
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Is this true or fake?
EU Countries seem to be opening their borders again
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I want the property market to reopen s much as the next person but this feels like it’s too much too soon.
To say that we can’t meet a family member in their own home but we can take a complete stranger to someone else’s house to view it is just plain crazy.
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Think if I was Jenrick this morning I would be banging my head against the wall.
‘You have all been banging on about being a Special Case and screaming for us to reopen the market, then when we do it you all start shouting that it’s too soon. What DO you want?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’
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A cohesive, considered and structured plan.
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A little notice possibly?
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What we don’t want is mixed messages. You can’t see your parents in their home, but if they put their house on the market with you then that’s fine!
There are agents in our town with large offices that will be all over this, trying to get a head start over the competition. This isn’t going to be at all safe.
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Absolute guidance on rules to be as safe as can be, so that in our enthusiasm to get our businesses going again we are not the fall guy if there is an ‘incident’.
Saying we should use our ‘common sense’ is not good enough. It’s a way of passing the buck in case something does go wrong.
Let’s face it, the ambulance chasers are probably preparing their plans already!
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What an absolute joke !
Opening the housing market to allow viewings and valuations is nothing short of reckless!
Pure greed by the government putting the economy before our health !!!
With between 500 & 700 deaths per day in the uk still consistent why the hell would we take people into other people’s houses putting ourselves and them at risk??
Same with valuations?
Yet I can’t see my own family?
Laughable and Disgraceful decision !!
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Have some sympathy for those estate agents based in border towns like Monmouth and Chepstow who face the prospect of losing instructions to sell properties the English side of the River Wye
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We will more than likely open the office next week on an appointment only basis though. I’m certainly not at this point entertaining walk ins, particularly where we operate where people can and do travel hundreds of miles to view a property and it’ll be a good excuse for a jolly.
Ready and able buyers only at the moment with one member of staff In the office and others available from home to provide valuations and viewings.
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G for garden centres and Golf. H for housing, what will open next on the alphabet chart, hard luck for zoos.
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Ice Cream Vans
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Infirmaries again
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All feels a bit reckless if you ask me.
I cant see my Mum in a different household yet i can meet people for viewings when i have no idea of how responsible they are, who they mingle with, or if they have symptoms (Even if asked they’d deny)
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Just get your mom to book a market appraisal of her home with you. Sorted
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She’s would sign up with a rival.
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She would, FFS
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I have an empty property, tenants moved out in February, its been deep cleaned, and I’m planning to put it on the market.
Is a surveyor permitted to visit the property to carry out a survey and valuation (by themselves) following last nights announcement?
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DB999 has a very valid point. Pushy agents encouraging the vulnerable and other specifically excluded parties to view properties which results in one or more of them catching Covid 19 could be accused of aiding and abetting breaking of the criminal law and liable to massive fines or even imprisonment if that person dies. They probably would not be covered by their insurance either for claims made against them.
Positively, the path is at last open to business and appropriate PPE and social distancing should keep the risk of contraction of the disease to a minimum. The difficult thing is going to be ensuring that vendors and viewers follow suit.
Stay Alert!!
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Interesting contrast in views reading 25 plus posts so far this early morning, from my Scottish Property Market Viewpoint.
I understand the fears, I read no “gung ho lets go” comments …….however, as an Industry and a Nation, we are going to have to get back to work?
Surely we are capable of easing Our Industry back to work otherwise are we going to be a gigantic class of Primary 1 Schoolchildren all standing on our 1st Day, holding our parents hands and not wanting to step thru’ the gates?
This is with us for months to come, and it seems for years? …….we need to deal with it.
It’s not worrying about the change that matters ……start making the changes that matter. We (the Nation) can’t sit locked up at home until it’s perfectly safe? …..it never will be.
My wife is an NHS Health Visitor, 40 Years with the NHS, and she hasn’t sat there finding ways of not going to work.
Safety? Absolutely! ……however, lets not sit Frozen with Fear.
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Amen brother, thing is until there is a vaccine it’ll never be ” safe ”
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……and that’s my point.
It will never be 100% safe, so we need to adapt.
Notable that in the interests of “balance” that we don’t measure the Millions infected …..who recover from C19.
Hopefully all the renewed hygiene will lower other virus transmission, that will be as interesting to watch when studies reveal the positives spin-offs of this particular virus.
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Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Dalai Lama
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As a country we need to go back to work.
V
Covid-19 is still in the public domain and is a killer for many and no-one knows who will suffer next.
I saw this on FaceBook: Is ‘Mankind’ going to abandon men, woman and children to appease economises and journalism that is putting pressure on rushing politicians into an exit strategy for a war that is nowhere near won
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So glad there are so many agents on here against opening. Make hay time!
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As a Police Officer, many moons ago, apart from the obvious, The Law ……I used my Common Sense …….and I still do today.
Do we need to make “Common Sense” Law?
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The problem with Common Sense, as my father used to say, is that it is not very common!
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Simply put ……Common Sense is an intrinsic part of the World Order …..law/regulation are a framework however if you don’t learn quickly not to put your hand in a fire then the result won’t be surprising.
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You have laws, regulations and rules because mankind dosen’t have common sense, ignores or argues for thier own ends.
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There will always be the greedy
There will always be the needy
Balancing these two amidst Covid-19 is going to be tricky……….
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Without the “eedy’s” and others the world doesn’t revolve. C19 is just another problem that we meet, endure, overcome …….it’s what Humans do ……otherwise how did we evolve from Cave People. Imagine if we gave up the first time we saw a Feckin’ big dinosaur? Thank God our ancestors kept moving forward …..we have a duty to do the same.
There are positives that have/will emerge from C19, however I hope that “fear of ????” doesn’t become Society’s Boogeyman.
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Agreed; apart from the bit about man living at the same time as the dinosaurs………I think they had all gone before we walked out of our caves…
How much is a cave per sq ft these days anyway…???? Seems quite appealing to me……
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Try RM’s drop-down property type when listing a property – one of the options is “Cave”?
Who knew?
Will watch out for prospective buyer/s in loin cloth, unkept hair and large wooden club!
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If this was a good idea, how come the other nations have said NO?
The country needs to get back to work and is reliant on the public to use “common sense”. I still haven’t stopped laughing at that one but agree the country has to come out of lockdown one day. The minority who have no common sense or selfish indulgence will take advantage and put the majority at risk. This is a killer on the street and no cure. England should have waited at least to the end of May. Covid-19 is not stopping at borders. It hasn’t been that long, but is expensive costs for many to remain in lock-down.
When the government advisor was asked the other evening at Covid-19 briefing he confirmed that numbers were down but people are still at risk and stopped short of being able to confirm there will be no more deaths. Considering we are looking at a 14 day window of infection/spread, future deaths are as a result of what we do now. Germany is on the way back up after removing lock-down. If it needs three months as originally forecast, why are we rushing into things in less than two?
It does seem that the rush to get back is motivated by nothing more than commerce and any future deaths will be treated by those in power as a regrettable casualty.
Stay safe everybody.
“The virus doesn’t move, people move it. We stop moving, the virus stops moving and dies”.
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