Agents ‘accused’ in national paper all abided by social distancing

The Mail Online is running a story on estate agents allegedly breaking the lockdown by conducting physical viewings in recent weeks - although the details suggest they were all sticking by social distancing rules.

The lockdown has been interpreted by most of the industry as meaning physical viewings can’t be conducted even in empty properties, as that would require both the agent and potential buyer travelling on what the government considers ‘non-essential’ business.

However, the Mail quotes Steven Wayne of Benjamin Stevens Estate Agents of saying many agents are flouting the rules. 

He says: “People are phoning me up and asking why we won't do it, because others will … People are risking their lives for the sake of thinking they are going to be the only estate agent still doing viewings. There are a lot of people profiteering out of this situation.”

The Mail then names Richard Franklin of Franklin Gallimore in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, as explaining that key workers have been allowed to view empty properties. If social distancing can be observed “we will view” he says.

The piece also cites Sam Ashdown, of the Ashdown Jones agency in the Lake District, who stated on a private Facebook group that she had completed a viewing on a four-bed home in her area. But the piece explains that this was a vacant new-build and the prospective buyers had sold their previous home before the lockdown and had been living in temporary accommodation. 

Critically, she had even contacted the police to get clearance beforehand.

Ashdown is quoted in the Mail saying the police appear to have ambiguous policies on whether people can travel to properties, and she says: “If they're not sure what is and isn't permissible, it's obviously difficult for us, too.”