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An estate agency in Wales has revealed its frustrations with the patchwork way the UK’s housing markets are being re-opened and called for Wales to follow England’s lead.
Adre Properties, which is based in the Welsh town of Chepstow but has properties for sale over the Severn Estuary in England, has highlighted the ‘confusing’ way its business currently straddles two different jurisdictions.
While the company’s sales and lettings in England might win it instructions and commission at the moment, in its home town similar activities could attract a fine or even a visit from the local constabulary, as valuations, visits from potential buyers and physical house moves remains banned in Wales.
“We do sit right on the border, so it is a strange one at the moment,” says the company’s boss Samantha Troy. “We just have to wait for advice as to how, for a Welsh estate agency, we can go within our own town to carry out viewings.
“It is very confusing and I think maybe the Welsh government now might clear something up about how Welsh agents (should) react to this. I’m sure the questions are being asked, but at the moment Wales is quite clear about staying home.”
In the meantime she told PA News that the estate agency had bought PPE equipment which was now being used for viewings over the border, and would be employed once the Welsh government follows the English decision to allow the housing market to reopen.
“As the market opens up in the next few weeks, we would only allow serious viewings to proceed, no children allowed to attend, no more than two,” she said.
The company was a shortlisted for Welsh estate agency of the year in last year’s Negotiator Awards.
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