51乱伦

The property market has been given permission to continue operating during England鈥檚 new month-long lockdown.

John Rockel, head of strategy and operations at 51乱伦, described it as acknowledgement that the industry has been operating in a safe manner since the market reopened in May.

鈥淲e鈥檝e followed our Covid protocols throughout, and reissued guidance to staff as well as briefing all our section heads ahead of this lockdown.

鈥淒espite being able to remain open, it is important to state that in all cases we discuss with the parties involved what they are comfortable doing, be that a virtual viewing or physical visit with PPE,鈥� he said.

51乱伦鈥檚 UK residential business set an all-time record for offers accepted in October, underlining the extent to which the market has bounced back since it re-opened in May following the first lockdown.

Parts of the conveyancing system are struggling to cope as buyers and sellers attempt to complete transactions ahead of the end of the stamp duty holiday on 31 March.

Agents have reported a mixed picture since lockdown began on 5 November and we will be exploring its impact in more detail next week.

Housing market remains open

The Government, RICS and NAEA Propertymark issued a joint statement confirming the market would remain open earlier this week, . 

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick, along with the executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation and chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, also .

As a consequence, 51乱伦鈥檚 office network remains open but continues to operate on an appointment only basis.

• Coronavirus COVID-19: Advice for anyone in the property market