Agents stay open in future local lockdowns but auctio...

Government guidelines regarding future Leicester-style local lockdowns suggest that branches can remain open and viewings can continue.

However auction houses must shut.

So far Leicester is the only location in the UK to have had a local lockdown - this is being reviewed at the end of next week.

However many such local lockdowns have been introduced across Europe and the UK government has indicated they are likely to remain a way of life for some time to come.

Propertymark says where lockdowns are imposed agents must adhere to Propertymark Best Practice guidance on house viewings, moves and maintenance in order to avoid being subject to far more stringent restrictions.

Specified areas of Leicester comprising LE1 and LE2 postcodes have been designated an area of local lockdown although there is speculation that other parts of the country are likely to be subject to similar exercises in the coming weeks and months - Sky News reports having seen a list of over 20 possible lockdown areas.

You can see the government’s guidance about Leicester here: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government suggests that the broad principles will be the same if lockdowns are imposed elsewhere.

And here is a reminder of the Propertymark guidelines on agent activity and best practice.