Estate agents open: When can estate agents reopen?

Estate agents are an important arm of the British property sector, but the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged this industry. According to property site Zoopla, newly agreed sales have dropped by 90 percent since the outbreak hit the UK. But when will estate agents be able to reopen?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented a nationwide lockdown on March 23.

Since that time, several industries have been hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown with the property industry coming to an almost complete standstill.

The property industry is currently in talks with the Government to assess how to get the market working again.

This week the Government published its highly anticipated “road map” for releasing Britain from the coronavirus lockdown.

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The key principles of the Government guidance include:

  • People are now permitted to undertake unlimited exercise outside their homes.
  • People can visit one person outside their household if they maintain social distancing.
  • Mandating the public wear face coverings in crowded places.
  • Members of the same household are allowed to undertake sports outside their home together.
  • Everyone who is unable to undertake their work from home should return to the workplace.
  • Pupils will return to school gradually with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 returning from June 1.
  • Childminders can return to work as part of the Government’s plans to enable employees to return to the workplace.
  • Public transport should be avoided as much as possible, instead, people are advised to drive, walk or cycle as much as possible.
  • Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality business must remain closed until the beginning of July at the earliest.
  • Reopening non-essential shops including hairdressers and beauty salons will only be done.

When will estate agents reopen?

Estate agents are classed as non-essential businesses meaning they were closed in March.

Estate agents are able to continue to conduct businesses remotely currently, but they must adhere to social distancing measures.

Many estate agents across the UK are operating with reduced staff numbers and are speaking to clients using technology rather than face-to-face contact.

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Will the property markets reopen on June 1?

In the Government’s new plan, from June 1 the plan is to reopen non-essential retail when and where it is safe to do so.

All retail businesses looking to reopen at that time will need to adhere to COVID-19 secure guidelines which will be published this week.

The Government guidance reads: “The intention is for this to happen in phases from 1 June; the Government will issue further guidance shortly on the approach that will be taken to phasing, including which businesses will be covered in each phase and the timeframes involved. All other sectors that are currently closed, including hospitality and personal care, are not able to re-open at this point because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher.”

How different might the process be in buying a house?

Virtual viewings are likely to become increasingly common.

However, they will not replace physical viewings which will likely be adjusted to adhere to social distancing measures.

Currently, plans for house viewings after the lockdown has eased will limit house viewings to 15 minutes and include two adults only.

Those selling a home will be expected to open all doors and switch on light switches before they wait in the garden or go out for their exercise while the buyer views a property without touching anything.

Homes will also need to be cleaned prior to anyone else entering the property.

In addition, the number of viewings will probably be limited per day and there will almost certainly be a ban on open houses or back-to-back viewings.

It is also probable buyers and sellers will need to sign a declaration confirming they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

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