A new kind of welcome: Estate agents adapt as housing market reopens

Estate agents are having to drastically change the way house viewings are carried out following new guidance from the Government to kickstart the housing market.

On Wednesday, the communities secretary Robert Jenrick announced a "comprehensive" plan to safely restart the housing market with "immediate effect".

Virtual viewings are now widely available as well as some face-to-face viewings following social distancing guidelines.

Kent-based estate agent Philip Jarvis and his team have been rehearsing the new way property viewings will be carried out for the foreseeable future.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors said 80% of buyers and sellers pulled out of deals because of the lockdown.

The industry body said house prices could take 12 months to recover and it wants a stamp duty holiday to boost sales.

Removal firms are also getting back to work while following social distancing guidelines, allowing people to move house.

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Interviewees: Philip Jarvis, Estate agent & Simon Rubinsohn, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors & Stewart Simpson, Estate agent & Faisal Hayat, Advantage Removals, Southampton