Agents urged to report rivals breaking lockdown in still-closed market

The devolved government in Wales - where the housing market is still officially closed - has urged agents to report rivals breaking lockdown rules.

The Cardiff administration has told Propertymark that agents should contact their local trading standards or environmental health department who will then investigate any potential breaches.

Agents in Wales are unlikely to be able to operate a normal market again for some little time yet; an announcement is expected on June 18, that’s Thursday of this week, about when trading can resume with social distancing and other safeguards.

Earlier this month we reported on Joe Parry of Fine & Country Chepstow, whose office is in Wales but who deals with property transactions on both sides of the border with England. 

He said that for agents in his position there was widespread confusion. 

“We hear of agents doing physical viewings without PPE as well as listing properties left, right and centre. So, I thought we are going to remain compliant but we have to make a decision, and that decision was to cross the border” Parry reported.

Propertymark says it has provided members with resources and information to comply with the rules and raised issues with the Welsh Government about non-compliance.

Fines for non-compliance with the guidelines in Wales range from a £60 fixed penalty up to £1,920 for repeat and serious offenders.