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

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 1/4/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Winning the AI Era: A Playbook for UK Estate Agencies The AI-Driven Rewiring of UK Estate Agency Thought Leadership by Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR Real estate has historically been conservative, fragmented, and inefficient. A surge of startups, is introducing automation, data-driven decision-making, and better customer experiences. This…
Read More
Breaking News

What renters and landlords need to know ahead of major rental law changes

With just one month to go until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the leading professional body, Propertymark, is urging renters and landlords across England to understand how the changes could affect them. From 1 May 2026, the legislation will introduce some of the biggest changes to the private rented…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Tackling Empty Properties

A UK Perspective on Best Practice and Recommendations for Reform Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for property agents, has today published a comprehensive new position paper highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, practical and properly resourced action to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than…
Read More
Breaking News

Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39%

New research from Inventory Base reveals that the number of pet-friendly rental homes in England has fallen by -39% since the start of 2026, as landlords appear to be reducing the number of homes openly marketed as allowing pets ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect from 1st May. The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA)…
Read More
Breaking News

Latest Nationwide house price data showing a 2.2% increase

Industry reaction to Nationwide house price data showing UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “An uplift in house prices will be welcomed by the market and suggests that buyer demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic headwinds. Improved sentiment, coupled with…
Read More
Breaking News

UK house price growth picks up in March

UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February Northern Ireland best performing area in Q1 2026, with prices up 9.5% year-on-year Outer South East weakest performing region, with prices down 0.7% compared with Q1 2025 Headlines Mar-26 Feb-26 Monthly Index* 552.6 547.7 Monthly Change* 0.9% 0.3% Annual Change…
Read More