Propertymark has called on the government to make the temporary Covid business rates exemption given to high street estate agencies in March to be made permanent and called for online agents to be taxed correspondingly in order to create a ‘level playing field’.

The Covid exemption, which puts agencies’ branches on the same rates footing as retail outlets, therefore gives them the same rates reduction during the pandemic. But this is due to run out next year.

“We welcomed the decision that letting agency offices that closed because of Covid-19 measures to restrict the spread of the virus will be exempted from business rates in 2020–2021,” its submission to the government consultation on business rates says.

“We know of one agent whose rateable value is £15,250 per annum so the exemption will save them £7,600.

“Furthermore, in September, 85% of our members surveyed agreed that estate agents and letting agents should receive the business rates relief available to retail premises.”

Propertymark says extending the relief to estate and letting agent offices is important to retain and promote growth not only of the sector, but in many towns and cities across the country.

“Property agents have long been a bedrock of the local high street and in light of recent events, we believe that estate and letting agent business should be able to continue to access the existing and proposed business rates relief available for retail,” it says.

Propertymark has also taken a swipe at online agents, saying that a level playing field is required “because the increased costs associated with operating in the property sector, coupled with liability for business rates that others on the high street are not subject to, are forcing agents to close their public facing high street agencies”.

Read the Propertymark submission in full.