Welsh housing market to partially re-open on Monday

The Welsh government has revealed that it is to relax the housing market lockdown.

In a statement released at 12.30pm today First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that the Welsh housing market can re-start partially on Monday.

Housing viewings can now take place in vacant properties as can home moves where a sale has been agreed but not yet completed.

The updated does not mention rented properties but a Welsh government spokesperson has told LandlordZONE that clarification on this point will be made when the guidance is update later today, but that they ‘assume it will cover the private rental sector’ as well.

We will update our readers on this as soon as it become clear and update this story. Watch this space!

The announcement as it stands is a much more cautious approach than the other parts of the UK. England, Scotland and NI have all moved directly to a full re-opening of their housing markets.

Today’s announcement has been made following a fourth statutory review of the coronavirus regulations by Welsh Ministers, using the latest scientific and medical evidence from the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Cell (TAC) and the advice from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.

In addition to the housing announcement, all non-essential shops in Wales will be able to re-open and is part of a stepped relaxation of the Welsh lockdown that will announced every Monday for the next three weeks.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The threat of coronavirus hasn’t gone away but thanks to the efforts we have all made over the last few months, the number of people contracting coronavirus each day in Wales is falling, so too is the risk of meeting somebody with virus.

“Given the progress we have made, we are able to take some additional cautious steps to further unlock our society and economy. This includes more retailers being able re-open their businesses, as long as they take measures to minimise the risk to their staff and to the customers who visit their stores.”

Industry reaction

“This is very positive news for the Welsh housing market and whilst safety is a paramount consideration, a sensible return to business is the right approach to ensure the sales and rental sector can start to recover,” says Sean Hooker, Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme.

“This said property professionals should follow the Welsh Government Guidance very carefully and don’t take unnecessary risks with customers and staff. Their well-being comes first but also this will avoid complaints and disputes in the future”

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