In a new series of tweets today, Purplebricks boss made it clear that he is perfectly sincere about helping stranded Emoov customers – and will do so for free.

The offer opens tomorrow morning and Emoov customers have until December 21 to take advantage of the offer.

In three tweets, he offers both Emoov and Tepilo customers, whether they have paid a fixed fee or are on deferred payment, to use Purplebricks. In capital letters, he says this will be free of charge. The offer does not apply to those vendors who are on no sale, no fee deal.

In his second tweet, he gives the hotline number, and says Purplebricks will then arrange to value the property and market it “just like all other properties being sold through us”.

He emphasizes that the telephone line will be open from 8am tomorrow morning.

In the third tweet he says: “We’re doing this to help these customers because we believe in doing the right thing. We’re a business built on solid foundations so we’re able to offer hope to these people.”

The administrators James Cowper Kreston might not, however, be best pleased with this generosity – they are trying to sell the 5,000 or so listings. Could the price tag might be about to go down – or disappear altogether?

On the health of the wider sector, Bruce said: “At Purplebricks we’re confident about the future. We’re growing.

“We’re increasing market share. As reported on 6 November, Purplebricks has grown H1 UK revenue by some 20% in a challenging market.

“Our foundations are strong and everyone at Purplebricks is passionately committed to going the extra mile for our customers.

“That’s why we get more homes sold and more sales completed, more quickly than the other ten biggest brands.”