As late as yesterday evening agents were still wondering whether they should carry out appointments or keep their offices open during the crisis. They were being advised to make their own decisions.
During the day, and before Boris Johnson’s statement last night, a number of agents contacted EYE wondering if there was any definitive advice.
Propertymark and the RICS had both been advocating ‘virtual’ viewings – something that is still possible. Neither body had however specifically ruled out actual viewings or said whether agents’ offices should remain open.
However Propertymark said yesterday that closing an office was “socially responsible”.
CEOs Mark Hayward of the NAEA and David Cox of ARLA in the hours before Boris Johnson’s statement said: “The Government has asked people to work from home and limit all unnecessary travel. In response, agents are temporarily closing their offices to ensure they are not putting their employees and customers at unnecessary risk, as this is the socially responsible thing to do in this time.
“However, we recognise that customers still require support and agents are working remotely to facilitate whatever they can, however they can, while being safe, for tenants, landlords, buyers and sellers.”
Pressed further, a spokesperson for Propertymark said: “Ultimately the decision of how to run an organisation has to sit with the business owner.”
The RICS had advised that its members have a clear strategy in place where there is direct contact with clients and tenants.
It suggested that the strategy should consider whether the instruction or request is absolutely necessary and whether viewings, appraisals or other appointments could be postponed, or whether safeguards could be put in place to comply with government guidance.
The RICS said that visits should not take place where the occupants are in self-isolation.
The RICS also says: “In addition to the above, you should set out in writing your approach to communicating with clients, customers, and tenants, explaining the health and safety measures that you are taking during this time and how they can continue to contact you.
“You should also keep written records of all conversations relating to any changes to services.”
Both RICS and Propertymark are now likely to update, and upgrade, their guidance so that agents are compliant with the Government’s crackdown.
From a lettings perspective…
Here’s what we’ve done:
-accounting department (essential- still in office)
-Maintenance personnel (essential as they have a duty of care to Tenants- still in office).
-Viewings all done by video (we’ll see whether this bears any fruit! Thus negotiators can work from home.
-Lettings Managers. Able to work from home.
-Offices have been closed to “walk-in” clients since Wednesday of last week.
-prearranged meetings only, with the healthy.
For how long (subject to activity levels, rental payments being made), we just don’t know. Hopefully, the Government’s job retention scheme will be given some serious “meat on the bone” in the coming days. Otherwise, I’ll be having some very difficult conversations and possibly having to hand out bad news, to some very good team members. Wishing you all health and happiness… it’ll be a bumpy ride
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So, not staying at home.
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My staff have been part of the dialogue since this narrative began, and all have been given a choice to either stay at home or work. In short, most are at home, essential personnel are not (financial and maintenance related).
My staff are not fools, and they (as we should all be) are abundantly aware that at this stage we are somewhere between “a rock and a hard place”. Without further clarification from HM’s Government on the financial aid packages (for both staff and businesses), they have a desire to continue to do the job, and all credit to them.
On a separate and personal note…and I speak for myself here. I will not acquiesce to the imposition of a Police State upon me. (yes, “tin hat” comments welcome).
If you believe the narrative being forced down our throats has bears any relation to reality…then more power to you. I however, strongly believe that we’re being duped on a national/international scale. However, to calm those of you may make remarks of being irresponsible, I am adhering to guidance in respect of social contact (if only to appease those that do not share my view).
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And that’s why Covid 19 is spreading so rapidly. STAY HOME. Accounts dept are not essential. You must be able to set them up to work from home. You only need a laptop and a VPN. We are no longer between a rock and a hard place, we are firmly on the rock!! Please be sensible and listen to your PM. Save other peoples’ lives if not your own!! If just one of your staff catches this virus through your inability to see sense then I hope you pay the funeral costs of anyone they kill and support their families.
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I am merely sharing my view. You are ALL, of course entitled to your respective opinions and I will stand up for anyone’s right to hold an opinion on any subject. I do not however, seek to impose my beliefs on others. I, at all times seek to apply logic, rational thinking and analysis to any situation.
Suggesting that I have an inability to see sense, is a little unnecessary and rather presumptuous.
It seems to me that the nation (and indeed other nations) have been reduced to a state of infancy, infants who are now captive. Looking to the Government and the media for guidance. I’m pleased that your faith in our Government gives you strength.
Sadly, I do not share this faith.
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It’s people like you that scare me more than the virus.
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The feeling is mutual…
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Shut. The. Office.
Set up for home working. If you can’t do that then find someone in the office who can set it up.
In the event of desperate times etc. then try GoToMYPC and get that setup.
There is *literally* no reason that estate or lettings agents need to be in the office other than to hand over keys. And even that can be done using a keysafe on the office premises.
There are solutions to this – work them out.
Stop. The. Spread.
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I don’t see any reason why letting or property management staff need to be in an office. Set them up to work remotely and use the many tools out there to communicate.
It is clearly socially irresponsible to gather people from different households in once place. That’s the whole point.
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Spicerhaart 100% fully operational from home on all aspects of agency – including all back office functions and customer care, virtual viewings and sales.
The rest are now wondering how you can operate an accountancy dept for home – too slow, too late, heads in the sand and totally behind the curve and now looking to endanger staff by getting them to go in to office against government DIRECTION TO SAVE PEOPLE’S LIVES.
Muppets.
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Or 60% operational as the other 40% have been kicked out…
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…which would then make it 100% operational…?
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CLOSED MEANS CLOSED. Everyone should have known this was coming and should have made provisions for home working
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