News
Greg Evans
May 13, 2020

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The government has announced plans to reopen the housing market which has been frozen since the coronavirus lockdown, with estate agents encouraged to go back to work.
The housing secretary Robert Jenrick has said that house viewings can resume, while removal companies and conveyancers can also return to work as long as social distancing and safety rules are followed.
Jenrick said:
Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process, from viewings to removals.
This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so.
This will only be happening in England with the housing markets in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland remaining closed at this time.
However, the move has drawn some criticism as by allowing strangers to have a look at a property would seemingly violate the new government guidelines on lockdown and social distancing.
There has been further criticism as many are wondering how you can go into another person's house but you cannot visit your parents or friend's home.
Buyers, renters, painter & decorators, cleaners, childminders can all go into someone’s house (from today in Englan… https://t.co/l1UcAl7fKS— Victoria Derbyshire (@Victoria Derbyshire) 1589345111
Only in Britain, governed by the Tories, are people allowed to come into your house because they want to buy it whi… https://t.co/6DV9nl2bAg— Green💚Molly (@Green💚Molly) 1589351914
gonna put in a bid for my parents’ house in order to see them again https://t.co/AojLwEU7gX— Jim Pickard (@Jim Pickard) 1589321033
Government to restart the housing market tomorrow, allowing viewings and removals and encouraging estate agents to… https://t.co/WDQY6CXefF— Paul Brand (@Paul Brand) 1589312269
People already seem to have found a major loophole in these new rules...
A question sent in by a viewer to @vicderbyshire: "You can't visit your elderly parents but if their house is for… https://t.co/0TsPmfO3Gj— Scott Bryan (@Scott Bryan) 1589359083
Missing your family? It really is quite easy. Get your dad a job in B&Q, go and have a game of golf with your mum,… https://t.co/ecdjk1hYdn— Keith Burge (@Keith Burge) 1589358093
Dear mum, Thank you for asking if we would like to buy your house. We are happy to accept your invite to come for a… https://t.co/mshxcr3nGZ— Patrick Lohlein (@Patrick Lohlein) 1589359625
ALSO.... I've decided that I'm going to put my house up for sale. 🏡 So if any of my friends and family are interes… https://t.co/RtG2iDP8sl— 🅹ohn 🅳alziel (@🅹ohn 🅳alziel) 1589356810
Grandparents across the country suddenly putting their houses up for sale, but being very specific about who* gets… https://t.co/Dm3WgggwdX— Matt Pez 🐻💙💜❤️ (@Matt Pez 🐻💙💜❤️) 1589345487
In perhaps a moment of clarity, Dr Hilary Jones on Good Morning Britain explained why the government might have chosen to introduce this guidance, while also refraining from allowing people to see their family and loved ones.
'The government would rather you go to work with people than see your own people, but is it safe?' - @piersmorgan… https://t.co/UEA4XdTMWA— Good Morning Britain (@Good Morning Britain) 1589346765
On Sunday, Boris Johnson announced that lockdown was being eased slightly to allow those that cannot do their jobs at home to return to work, including cleaners and carers being allowed to enter other people's homes.
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