Welsh estate agents get ready for Monday’s return to home moving

Welsh estate agents are gearing up to re-open their businesses when the country emerges from its 17-day long circuit-breaker Covid lockdown on Monday.

Its first Minister Mark Drakeford has said the firebreak will end despite the English month-long lockdown, and the country will return to the same rules it had prior to the firebreak, which has been praised internationally as the most effective way to reduce infections dramatically.

Since 23^rd October those living in Welsh have been unable to move home unless contractually obliged to, physically view properties or visit estate agents, whose branches were required to close.

Mortgage valuations and surveys were allowed but the government strongly advised that they were to be delayed.

According to Land Registry data, this means some 3,500 property purchase home moves are likely to have been delayed.

“We welcome that the Welsh housing market is able to reopen, following its closure during the two-week firebreak,” says Timothy Douglas, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Propertymark.

“Buying, selling, and renting property will continue to play a vital role in supporting the economic recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Although Drakeford has said his government may re-examine access to Wales from England after worries that people may ‘escape’ over the border, Propertymark says that for time being travelling to move home or other related activity is classified as reasonable excuse to enter Wales.

“It is essential that agents continue taking all necessary steps to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, working in accordance with government guidelines, to avoid any further disruption to business and house movers and renters,” adds Douglas.