Millions of homeowners impacted as Government announces strictest measures yet to enforce social distancing

Over 15million homes could be impacted after the Government announced new rules to enforce social distancing, as large swathes of the nation continue to ignore advice to only leave the house where absolutely necessary, to stay in groups of just two people and to remain two metres apart at all times.

As a result, the Government has taken the radical step to impose a distance of two metres between all terraced and semi-detached homes across the UK in an effort to enforce rules on social distancing and to ensure that those not living in the same property remain at the appropriate distance.

With the terraced and semi-detached homes being the most prominent of all property types across the UK accounting for 28% and 25% of total property stock respectively, research by PropergandaPR shows that this could impact a huge 15,210,187 homes across the UK.

The tough new measures will hit hardest in England where there are some 6.9m terraced homes and 6.1m semi-detached properties, with a further 996,960 homes impacted in Scotland, 794,483 in Wales and 428,744 in Northern Ireland.

It is not yet clear as to how the Government plans to execute this mass movement of properties but the first such movements are expected in a matter of days, with a second phase planned to separate flats potentially in the pipeline.

Co-founder of PropergandaPR, James Lockett, commented:

“A huge step by the Government to really drive home the importance of social distancing and one that will hopefully act as a serious wake-up call for those that continue to ignore advice on the subject.

We’ve seen measures being ramped up over recent weeks and the nation really pull together to fight this outbreak, but unfortunately, a selfish few continue to hold karaoke parties, picnics and more with no regard for others.

With space for housing already a rare commodity and a real need to build more properties this is going to put further strain on the UK housing market and you’d have to be a fool to let things get to this stage. Hopefully, it will have the required impact and we won’t see any further restrictions imposed.”

Property Type
England
Wales
Scotland*
Northern Ireland
UK
% of total
Terraced House
6,857,000
400,820
508,400
227,170
7,993,390
28%
Semi-Detached House
6,133,000
393,663
488,560
201,574
7,216,797
25%
Detached House
4,172,000
316,362
533,200
284,547
5,306,109
18%
Flat
4,867,000
157,465
934,960
85,680
6,046,105
21%
Bungalow
2,142,000
164,623
N/A
N/A
2,306,623
8%
Total
24,171,000
1,431,500
2,480,000
798,971
28,882,471
100%
Scotland has 14,880 properties where the type is classed as ‘unknown’.
Scotland and Northern Ireland data sources do not classify properties as ‘Bungalow’.

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Is it worth buying a fixer-upper property?

The latest research from eXp UK reveals that fixer-upper homes can be picked up for an average saving of more than £44,000, but when the cost of renovating the property is accounted for do homebuyers actually stand to make a saving? And what chance do buyers have of finding one on today’s market? Fixer-uppers are…
Read More
Breaking News

Nottingham letting agents are the busiest in Britain

The latest research from Propoly reveals that across Britain’s major cities, there are an average of 13.5 rental listings for each single letting agency branch, with the nation’s busiest agents found in Nottingham where this figure climbs to 35 properties per professional. Propoly has analysed the estimated number of current rental listings in 21 of…
Read More
Breaking News

The six protections every new-build buyer must check before signing

With 53% of homebuyers saying they would prefer a new build, demand remains high, but so do the risks if buyers fail to ask the right questions. Buying a new build often means committing to a property that is not yet finished, which makes the small print just as important. Without these protections, buyers risk…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – February 2026

Regional divergence replaces winter slowdown as rental market shows mixed February movement Month-on-month rental prices showed a mixed picture in February. Notable increases were recorded in the East Midlands (+3.4%), North West (+2.8%), Scotland (+2.7%) and South East (+2.0%), suggesting demand has firmed in several areas. However, Northern Ireland (−6.6%), West Midlands (−1.3%), East of…
Read More
Breaking News

UK property sector gender pay gap keeps getting wider

UK property sector gender pay gap keeps getting wider and It now has the fourth largest gap across all UK industries The latest research from Yopa reveals that real estate remains one of the UK’s worst-performing industries when it comes to the gender pay gap, ranking as the fourth largest across all sectors after widening…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Britain’s most expensive streets revealed

The latest edition of Rightmove’s Most Expensive Streets report reveals that Winnington Road in Barnet, London, retains its position as Great Britain’s most expensive street, with an average asking price of £12,538,095 Chester Square in Westminster is second, with an average asking price of £11,546,428 and The Bishops Avenue in Barnet is third, with a price tag of £8,930,650 East Road…
Read More