Would Tier 5 close down Estate Agency business?

As rumours circulate on a new tier 5 from the government, many in estate agency are questioning what effect this will have in the operating of selling property. Tier 4 we are in with tier 5 looking likely and as Buzz Lightyear would say, maybe even tier infinity and beyond is starring at us on the horizon.

Tier 4 saw confusion as governments guidelines were brief and undetailed, most estate agents it was carry on as before and only a handful, maybe those deeper in the belief of the pandemic, closed their stores and remained ‘online only’. Official guidance stated that ‘Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work.‘ with obviously most respecting the requirements of the government regarding safe business practice during the pandemic.

As furlough extended itself until end of April 2021, those with common sense can see this means a further four months of severe lock downs ahead, non essential businesses at least closed and restrictions on our daily lives / aka our freedom. This is likely to be entitled tier 5, one of many aces that Boris Jonson has up his sleeve, a more severe strain of covid splattering the front pages of our most trusted and respected press (not) here in the UK, further scaremongering people in to masks, tests and vaccinations with not an ounce of proof that any of it is necessary.

Tier 5 and Estate Agency?

You pay your commission, not always cheap and not always welcomed, to get the free flowing events organised and smooth lined for you by an estate agency who have many years of experience – There is a lot of work that goes in to buying/selling homes. The fact that we mostly view property online means that the tier 5 is likely to have less of an effect in us viewing property of interest, but what about the services we require to aid this? How about the photography / videography, will this be allowed? Can all services to the industry work from home? What about the legals, the surveys, the valuations, for sale signs, programmers and many more who will be potentially hindered / halted by tier 5 (whatever its constraints are).

As an estate agent, will you remain open? If a new strain of covid is pushed out to the media, will this simply make it impossible to stay open on the high street at least? Face masks, desk shields, hand sanitisers, social distancing and more all obviously do not work, how else will they ask you to protect yourself and others from the dreaded covid!