Property industry to remain open as national lockdown resumes

Last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another national lockdown, which has already come into force and is expected to last until mid-February.

However, the property industry is to continue operating, with estate and letting agents remaining open, house viewings and home moves permitted, with safety measures in place.

In response to the news, Propertymark chief policy adviser says: “We welcome the news that the housing market is to remain open throughout this new lockdown period, but it is essential that all agents continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus through following all relevant guidance on how to safely conduct viewings.

“It is vital that agents operate in accordance with government and Propertymark guidelines to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, keep movers and buyers safe and keep the housing market moving through these uncertain times.”

Enness Global Mortgages managing director Hugh Wade-Jones says: “It remains business as usual for the UK property market and as a result, it’s unlikely we will see any decline in the huge levels of buyer activity seen since last year, nor should we see property prices detract from their current upward trend.

“Billions of pounds in accelerated property transactions are also currently waiting to complete prior to the stamp duty holiday deadline on 31 March. It would have been a disastrous move for the government to have slammed the door in the face of these aspirational homebuyers so close to the finish line and would have no doubt caused a landslide of property transaction fall throughs and a drop in values had they done so.”

A statement from Countrywide Surveying Services read: “Our service provision will continue to be provided under existing stringent Covid-19 Secure safety protocols that we have been using for the last few months to ensure we protect everyone (customers and our people). Obviously, we will continue to review and react to any subsequent government guidance as it is published, and release any updates as & when necessary.”