ARLA Propertymark CEO, David Cox, shared his thoughts on the industry’s future as part of a Goodlord webinar yesterday morning.
In the process he revealed that he is aware of a police prosecution “under the Coronavirus Act” of an agent who carried out physical viewings two Saturday’s ago on a property during lockdown.
Apparently a neighbour complained that the agent “was doing several viewings” of the next door property and the police took action.
Cox did not reveal the name of the agent or where in the country the viewing had occured but said “I would strongly not recommend doing physical viewings at the moment.”
EYE asked David Cox for further details, as this is the first time we have heard of such action, but he was unable to elaborate.
We’d like to hear if readers know of any other instances.
In other sections of the webinar Cox expressed the view that the industry response to the crisis has been “exceedingly professional” and he believes that the enforced nature of the market slowdown will, unlike the situation in 2008, lead to a massive release of pent up demand once restrictions were lifted.
When asked by Goodlord CEO William Reeve if he expected to see a bounce back, Cox commented:
“There’s clearly a massive amount of pent-up demand in the market.
“Our message is just put everything on pause – don’t cancel it.
“The first Friday out of lockdown is probably going to be one of the biggest moving days in the lettings industry’s history.”
Cox went on to strongly advise that agents invest time in planning their post-lockdown strategies.
Agents should focus on how they will handle the “first seven days back”, when the market is predicting a surge in new tenancy applications and need to assess the capacity requirements and logistical changes that will be required to respond to that demand.
During the discussion, Cox cautioned against forgetting about the wider legislative changes scheduled for 2020.
“Sooner or later, the Government is going to go back to its normal course of business”, he warned, citing the need to be prepared for the abolition of Section 21, Electrical Safety Regulations on new tenancies, which he noted would still be coming into effect on 1 July, and the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA).
Cox allso believes the coronavirus crisis will drive further legislative change that agents and landlords must prepare for, and he urged the industry to be proactive:
“[Post-crisis] I think they’re going to be looking at more regulation of landlords.
“I think we will go into a much tougher regime on property standards.
“We are trying to get out ahead of that with the concept of a property MOT; if we can try and shape what comes next, it’s going to be much easier for the industry to accept than to have a whole collection of laws thrown at us like we have over the past 10 years.”
Long-term, Cox believes this crisis “is going to change the market quite significantly”, with many of the old ways and industry habits falling by the wayside as a result.
Comments (60)
I hate that today police can do awful things with you! We all know this case with george floyd and I believe we must read more about police brutality https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/police-brutality/ to be aware of what may happen to us. Right, guys?
IMHO… Many seem to have lost sight of a fundamental cornerstone of life in our Country, and that is…”Personal choice/responsibility”. I suggest that this is as a result of years of confused/disconnected politics, ideals (not helped by the media)…
I put it to the readership and fellow Agents that in the event that consenting adults (in full knowledge of ANY possible risks {not restricted to COVID-19} who decide that venturing out of the house each day poses risk, and they accept those risks, that they are allowed/entitled (without the risk of being berated/vilified) to go about their business in a manner that they see fit, and agree to.
I find it quite astonishing how we find ourselves in a position where members of the public, deem it appropriate to inflict their ideals, upon others in such a malicious fashion. Those of you harking ”stay at home!” and attempting to vilify those who chose not to, should be ashamed. All of us are entitled to our opinions, but who are we to seek to vigorously undermine those who do not share our view?
I suspect that not a single one of us has EVER advised a viewing to NOT go ahead, on the basis that a client will be travelling to and from that appointment, by car (feel free to correct me, if I am wrong)! The reason I use this example is as follows:
Thus far (bearing in mind that almost ALL countries are currently reporting declining figures of COVID-19 related deaths) 237,638 have been reported as sadly passing, as a result of this illness…This gives (if my maths is correct) a statistical probability of death as a result of this virus of…0.003% globally.
Yet, on average EACH and EVERY year 1,300,000 million die as a result of car accidents/deaths relating to car usage…This gives (again, if my maths is correct) a statistical probability of dying as a result of using a car of…0.017%.
In simple terms, driving to a viewing/client meet is 5 TIMES more likely to result in my/yours/someone else’s death! I present this example to illustrate how ridiculous and illogical (known as cognitive dissonance) much of the currently held (and hysterical) beliefs are, around these so called ”protective measures/guidance”…
If two consenting parties wish to go about their business…who are we to question, villify and antagonise them?
One of my staff’s parents has conracted Covid-19 and her views on the situation are quite different now…because it’s all a bit closer to home!
I do agree with the philosophy that ‘people can go about their business as adults in any way they see fit and agree to’, but, in this situation, our actions could (albeit highly unlikely percentage wise) have an affect on A.N.Other when perhaps, it’s not really worth taking that risk.
As already said, this will divide opinion for sure…but for the sake of a vieiwng and a potential sale, which will most probably not exch, why not wait, omit any risk, save your reputation, and that of your company?
I agree, no need to vilify, we are all in this together, but we are most certainly NOT all in the same boat.
I attended a funeral last Thursday…VERY close to home (in the emotional sense)…this has however not shaken my fervent belief in people’s right to do as they see fit, provided both/all parties consent…and I suspect the deceased would agree with me wholeheartedly, were she still with us.
I’m a biker. Bikers die through their own errors and the actions of other road users, however I don’t think all other road users are a threat and all other road users should be kept off the road.
Examples abound throughout life whereby death has touched people. It’s life or death, perspective has a relevance for sure.
On the biking theme, I’ve both bought a bike during lockdown and (pleasure) ridden it almost every day since…damned if a bit of gardening is the last thing I ever do on this earth if I do indeed catch Corona…!!
Forgive me for one extra view
We ALL die from something
The Economy will have to re-start or there will be Anarchy
We can’t ALL STAY AT HOME FOREVER
Careful George, the thought police may come calling for you! Double plus ungood.
Just the One Rule
Common Sense
Experts? Medical? Differing opinions
Government? Rudderless
Those that will flaunt the rules will do so. End of. If people didn’t flaunt rules there would be no need for a Police Service in the UK
I respect Common Sense, taking into account the differing views, here, across the country, and across the world
The scaremongering and misinformation isn’t helpful however it gives an element of control for those trying to reinforce guidance or rules
The facts are – Common Sense applied by most of the UK public has clearly helped however what applies in one area, community or business doesn’t necessarily have to apply in every setting – Guidance is certainly worth taking/considering/implementing – however those that wish to “Lecture” others that “people will die if you don’t…..?” STOP lecturing. By all means say your tuppence worth however unless Martial Law comes in, the public still have to be given credit for applying Common Sense
Diversive story. seems a 50/50 split in those saying zero tolerance to viewings and those that say as long as you follow guidance its okay.
I think as the days / weeks go by, this will come out more in society. Already stories of food outlets McDonalds, KFC, Greggs re opening.
What are peoples thoughts on this? is a Big Mac an essential? Should they be stopped from opening?
Of course it’s not essential! These things can and will wait.
I have moved 5 people since the lockdown, exchanged and completed on the same day, 2 in the chain on each of them and empty properties being moved into. I doused the keys in anti-bac and literally threw them over to the new owners (1st time ever in nearly 30 years of estate agency I’ve thrown keys to a buyer and said “congratulations on your new home” and then done it 5 times in a row). Interestingly, 2 of those handovers were to NHS workers, who pushed to get into their new homes!
I completely get both sides of the argument, I sit here in my kitchen every day, speaking to vendors, purchasers, solicitors, estate agents and mortgage brokers involved in our pipeline, keeping them involved and keeping chains together. I’m staring at my car every day longing to get in, do a market appraisal, show someone round a house and close a deal… because that’s in my nature, it’s what I love. So I’ve no doubt that part of my decision to carry out the viewing yesterday was just so I could get out and perhaps close a deal, but my conscience was tapping me on the back all evening.
As a businessman, it’s always difficult to ‘turn away’ business as per my previous comment, but after speaking to the potential buyer and explaining my decision, he completely understood, and we agreed to get him through the front door as soon as restrictions are lifted…so I’m not really turning business away, I’m merely delaying it, and keeping my conscience and reputation clear and intact.
Stay home Stay safe.
Off subject slightly here, but have you all considered the impact of ROPA on your businesses? ARLA/NAEA Propertymark are actively promoting in their guidance to government that all agents be level 4 qualified and staff level 3… who does that really benefit? Surely level 3 for owners with an extra module for business processes and then level 2 for staff would be much better and perhaps level 4 for those who want to go one step further?
I’m going to be honest here! I have a customer that wants to view an empty property. He called me yesterday, to say the owners of one he was buying ae no longer selling. He needs to find something. He has cash. The property he wants to view is empty and has been for several weeks. I told him I would call him back a I needed to speak with the vendor (executor).
I spoke to the vendor who was fine, and actually pleased! I called the gentleman back, told him I would open the front door, get back in my car, let him and his wife walk around, they would then get back in their car and leave, I would lock up, douse my hands in anti-bac, get back in my car, go home and call him from my home/office to discuss.
But…this has kept me awake and the 1st thing I sad to myself this morning was ‘this can wait’…I spoke to several people in the industry about the above and I can tell you now, the feedback was 50/50 (like Brexit).
My decision is to cancel the viewing, it will wait…..
Defo the right decision. People hate hearing the worst case scenarios… but what if a crash on the way to the viewing, took a valuable NHS resource. (it wont happen to me…. who would have put cash on a Pandemic when they were scoffing the Xmas lunch)
Or, the viewer contracts COVID-19 and in a questions and answers said “I was fine, Mark then showed us around a house, and I felt a bit **** from there on in… ” Good luck with the interview on “What made you go against; Do not go to a property which you do not live in for non-essential purposes”
We all want back in, we all feel “it’s not fair” but come on folks… this actually is life or death!
95% of viewings come to FA anyway! Those who are bored and want to break the rules are probably JUST THAT… bored and why not view a house.
I always remember someone saying “if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t” and that for me is how you decided to cancel.
I respect your opinion Ric
However with due respect, life is generally “What if ?”
Pandemic mentality leads to Pandemonium, at times.
What is needed in my view, liberal doses of Common Sense, rather than the imposition of “We’ll all die if…….?”
If memory serves me well, Ebola wasn’t the biggest killer in the recent outbreak, it was the untreated Malaria symptoms/patients. All the shouting/energy/resources etc was poured into Ebola, unfortunately those with other treatable diseases died because they didn’t receive treatment.
C O M M O N S E N S E
Wow, some great PR for the estate agency “profession” here. Wouldn’t be so bad if getting the house on the market and eyeballs on the property for sale were the client’s sole objective, but it isn’t. If they can’t complete the sale and transfer of the property, what is the point?
Anyway, Govt reporting that guidance is forthcoming on reopening the economy by the weekend, so let’s see what that says before having a meltdown on here. Yes the Tories are incapable of organising the proverbial, but that doesn’t mean we have to act like spoiled brats.
All the best and stay safe!
flounder
verb [ I ]
uk
/ˈflaʊn.dər/ us
/ˈflaʊn.dɚ/
to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next:
Slightly different definition to the one I found – but you found it nearly 12 hours earlier!
And more’s to the point – how do we know that “mark lock’ isn’t a pseudonym?
haha, 2 types of flounder, in the same way, it seems, 2 types of estate agent. lol
You don’t, but it isn’t. I’m not ‘afraid’ to show who I am. 🙂
“…in the same way, it seems, 2 types of estate agent.”
Yup. Good and bad – no middle ground there.
“I’m not ‘afraid’ to show who I am.”
Neither am I.
I just get called PeeBee – and have been now for half a century or so.
But please explain why someone posting under a pseudonym is such an apparent issue for you?
I would respectfully suggest – as I have on many, many occasions previously to others – that is it nor what is being said that matters – not who is saying it?
Didnt say or suggest you were ‘afraid’ PeeBee, merely stated that I am not. Also, I didn’t say it was an issue! I was more interested in ‘why’ one would want to use a pseudonym, that’s quite obvious if you read it again. You may indeed respectfully suggest that ‘what is being said is more important than who is saying it’ (if I understand you correctly), and I shall respectfully say I disagree.
p.s. I can’t seem to locate your comment as per below on here??
Author: PeeBee
Comment:Mr Lock. You agreed the viewing with the vendor. You state that the vendor/executor was pleased to hear the news that a viewing was being booked.Now you have decided that the above was a mistake and you plan to cancel the viewing.How will your vendor feel about that? How will the viewer feel about that?
My reply is “the vendor completely understood and accepted that we would contact the vieiwer when restrictions are lifted”
Enjoy your weekend PeeBee, stay safe 🙂
lot’s of people using pseudonyms on here…I wonder why!
Many of the comments here so far today confirm the long held public perception that many estate agents are a bunch of selfish, greedy, grasping individuals, only interested in lining their own pockets.
Should any of those who suggest the ‘Stay at home’ policy is wrong, be so unfortunate as to suffer the worst effects of the virus and find themselves on a ventilator with multiple organ failure and no relative present in what may well be their last hours, they may, albeit too late, change their tunes.
As predicted, the public and business are losing faith in the Lockdown process the longer it goes on, exacerbated by the lack of a clear/timed exit strategy.
The Government, Police nor Army would be unable to manage any significant momentum against prolonged lockdown.
Whilst none of us wish to endanger anyone, the biggest “patient” in the room is “The Economy” …..Fact!
Boris is an embarrassment and The Government continues to flounder/prevaricate and seems incapable of having an Adult conversation with the country.
My wife is frontline NHS and able to engage in an adult conversation about the future, post Lockdown.
If The Government treats the country like monkeys, don’t be surprised by the outcome!
It’s “founder”. Flounder is a fish.
However, our industry is famous for back-stabbing, taking potshots at each other and doing our best to grind our competitors into the ground.
@ Mark Rowe – I sympathise with your viewpoint and understand your obvious frustration. When you’re trying to play fair while your competitors flout the “guides” set by government is rage inducing! But until a case actually comes to court and a legal precedent set, there will be individuals and smaller organisations pushing the boundaries. They will continue in their seedy practice and make us as an industry look bad. Name them – Shame them. But remember who instructs them and what their motivation might be.
We can carp on and complain about how it should have been – we do it as an industry all the time. OTM / Rightmove as a case in point.
The fact remains the government, represented at a COBRA meeting chaired by Matt Hancock in January because Boris was absent, decided that coronavirus was low-risk and therefore failed to close borders and take measures to protect the public which could have prevented a lockdown.
Moving forward, our industry will look very different after this episode is over. Now is the time for regulation. A time and an opportunity to oust the sharks and shady business practitioners. If we were regulated, as an industry – it would be far easier to deal with those who continue to act against the spirit of the law and continue to harm those who carefully and respectfully carry out what is a necessary and valued service.
Lobby for regulation – get your voice heard.
“It’s “founder”. Flounder is a fish.”
Erm… actually, apostropheV96, it is “flounder”. From Cambridge Dictionary:
‘to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next:’
Other than that – pretty much agree with your post… apart from the shout for ‘Regulation’ as a pill for all ills – or in particular this one.
No chuffin’ ‘Regulation’ on earth would solve the issue under discussion – as has been pointed out by others the ‘guidelines’ are simply that and therefore nothing that could be ‘regulated’ upon.
But the thorny subject of ‘Regulation’ is a whole mahoosive other can of worms for another day, methinks…
deary me.
If you’ve been conducting viewings, then you’re selfish, plain and simple. You obviously think you’re above everyone else who is following what has been asked of every single person in the UK.
Here’s the wording;
Viewings
If your property is already on the market, you can continue to advertise it as being for sale but you should not allow people in to view your property.
There should not be any visitors into your home, and you should therefore not let people visit your property for viewings. Your agent may be able to conduct virtual viewings and you could speak to them about this possibility.
Could you explain why you believe, say, Gas Safety checks haven’t been postponed too then?
Would you like a hi-viz jacket, clipboard, orange light for your car and loudhailer Mark?
Good come back, George!
I’ll take solice in that I’m not passing this virus on nor promoting the fact that guidence shouldn’t be followed.
I geniuinly wish you good health and for you and your family to stay safe.
Do you call Chris Whitty when you get a hangnail?
ARLA state you cannot carry out a video check out…..without tenant being present…… after tenant vacates because it breaks lockdown regulations. However they advise that it is OK for same member of staff to go out with same equipment to prepare a video viewing??
80% of agents polled in my town are doing empty house accompanied viewings……
Report them. Empty house or not!
That’s truely disgusting and they’re acting in exactly the way that the public accuse us estate agents of being – selfish, only concerned about money and don’t care for the customer. Please start reporting them.
For what though Mark? What are these agents actually breaching apart from guidance? Morally you might have a case but that is not for the authorities or police to get involved in. Ultimately the general public will decide what is right or wrong morally.
I understand your frustrations and in a sense the Government should have clearly stated what was allowed and not, but in an emergency its hard to criticise.
In the end, the wheels need to turn to an extent otherwise the economic failure will kill/harm as many as the virus itself.
For risking death – that’s what. STAY AT HOME
Property Ear? “Stay at Home” will be replaced by “Lift the Lockdown” if this inept Government doesn’t get a grip.
Shouting Stay at Home and clapping for the NHS doesn’t hide the fact that The Government is now FAILING to engage in a timely/adult manner with the people of the UK.
Boris announcing when he will take his delayed paternity leave is pythonesque!
The “elephant in the room” is the Economy. We will ALL be Staying at Home if that is not paid as much attention as those suffering medically.
Stop preaching. If you don’t want to do empty property viewings, then don’t. The lockdown was to allow the NHS to build capacity. It has.
You would feel differently if you had suffered the loss of a relative through being in contact with an infected person. Listen to the nurses and stay at home, you may not want to protect yourself but you have an obligation to protect others.
One of my next door neighbours has died of Corona. There are four generations living in one (massive) house, which is one of only three on a former RAF base. We are very much isolated. I find it curious that the family are, too, now shouting the ‘stay at home’ message louder than ever in the hope that it will somehow help or that it *could* have helped the now-deceased grandfather. It wasn’t staying at home or not that killed him. Before the lockdown he caught it (probably from his son that he doesn’t live with and visited).
Jesus Christ, humans are simple creatures.
I’m not being pompous or religious about this @Rebel, so preaching is the wrong word. I’m simply stating that guidance has been put in place and for some reason there are a few agents that seem to think it doesn’t apply to them!
If you want to do viewings, fill your ****** boots! But as @Property Ear and a few others have said on here.. I think you may feel differently if you have lost someone close to you.
Jesus, a town where the residents are right when they say Most agents are ****.
Exactly, Ric!
Perfectly demonstrating the “division” developing within the country as it stumbles along with a Government seemingly unable to know what to do, a Prime Minister that doesn’t like working and a NHS that is getting on doing what it is paid to do.
Meanwhile the Country keeps getting told to “Stay at Home” and “We can’t tell you about our exit plan” -because they are utterly inept. Still unable to get PPE supply flowing? Am Dram Players pretending to be Government ministers.
Time to invoke 1992 No. 558, The Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992 class G on page 3.
Class G: an unoccupied dwelling the occupation ofwhich is prohibited by law, or which is kept unoccupied by reason of action taken underpowers conferred by or under any Act of Parliament, with a view to prohibiting its occupation or to acquiring it;
Lets stick to the plan as an industry – stay home and protect the NHS.
UK deaths are one of the highest in Europe and its because people are not listening. I appreciate it maybe painful for businesses in the short term.
The majority are following the rules and I strongly suspect the UK death toll is not to be blamed on the minority not fully locking down, rather because we haven’t bothered to close our borders…but don’t worry about shouting that to Govt, just keep clinging to the notion that it’s things like viewings causing the spread. I can’t believe how quickly and so very massively populations swallow a message, simply because it’s been repeated over and over.
You’re dead right P P in the Eye. Can’t believe some ignorant idiots are thumbs downing you. They clearly haven’t suffered terribly as so many have. STAY AT HOME!!
…or maybe we have a disproportionate number of obese & overweight?
Issue seems to be that it was multiple viewings taking place?
Pay the fine to the local council if actually received, and then challenge it via the appeal mechanisms available.
The regulations do not prohibit such activities, and says if you cannot work from home, then you are allowed to conduct such activities. Furthermore the regulations allow you to move home if reasonable. Moving home is not like going to the shop, it takes time, money and is quite stressful. On the Government guidance which is much more prohibitive, it is just that, guidance.
I also understand from others, that local councils are not exempting properties from council tax which are not occupied/let due to the crisis saying the law does not prohibit them being occupied. As someone said, the council cannot have it both ways.
Oh sorry, i thought everyone else was listening to the guidance for our own health and safety? Haha… forgive me, I forget that this is all ‘optional’!
Wow, plenty of people seem to agree with you too… gobsmacked.
It’s curious how simply because a message is repeated, the sheer number of people that swallow it as either absolute fact and/or cling to it as the answer. Don’t mind the fact we still have open borders, which is highly, highly likely causing more problems than a few people not following lockdown. It’s harder to shout at Govt. though, isn’t it…
Give over.
This means, because buyers will only genuinely buy after a physical viewing (stop all this I’ve sold a house from a Video nonsense, we aren’t QVC) and we cannot do a physical viewing from our Home Offices, we cannot “Work from home” as an industry therefore “EA’s can return to work”
Fabulous, thank you Darrel… I am opneing tomorrow. Business as usual as I cannot work from home.
Oh wait, yes I can, I can tell viewers “NO” and accept, the better behaved we are as a nation (let alone industry) the quicker Lockdown will be over and the quicker we can return to a degree of normaility.
As for a minority can’t be blamed; If a minority are seen to be getting away with it, then it will become a majority.
Firstly Daryl your advice is wrong and worrying on so many levels from a supplier who comments on the legalities of lettings. Morally wrong.
Secondly please tell all of your clients who are continuing to do valuations, take ons and human viewings that they should immediately repay the government grants that they have received because they are defrauding the tax payer……
You have lost a client in me…..bye mate…..I won’t be renewing your contract…..
J1, do you live in the South?
David Cox in ramping up legislation shocker. He has little grasp on how the real world works and I’m sure he believes that the more legislation against landlords he can generate, the safer his organisation and role in it. He goes down as one of the biggest culprits in shrinking the private rented sector and creating homelessness in the UK.
Agreed. His pathetic organisation feeds on useless regulation and stifling bureaucracy. These parasites love pimping their third-rate training schemes to our cash starved industry. Shame on you Coxy. I don’t know how you can sleep at night.
He’s lost the plot and might as well work for the government. Whilst I am in agreement with legislation he should be focusing on getting the industry stable and working again rather than doom and gloom like the media.