Propertymark has been told the agents should shut their offices immediately – they are not “essential businesses” under the new Coronavirus safety guidance.

A statement from Propertymark issued this afternoon says: 

“Propertymark has spoken to a senior civil servant at Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Goverment (MHCLG) this morning. 

“The civil servant stated that agents are not ‘essential businesses’ under the new rules and therefore their view is that agents should close their offices immediately.

“Furthermore, they stated that there should not be any in-person viewings, routine inspections or house moves.

“MHCLG is still looking into property maintenance tasks such as gas safety checks and hopes to issue guidance on these points as soon as possible.

 “In a further development, British Association of Removers (BAR) has issued communications this morning instructing members that moves should only be completed if they are already underway, any move that has not yet started, should not go ahead. 

“Propertymark will keep members up to date later today and as any further information becomes available.”