Fresh guidance issued yesterday confirms market remains open for now

The government could shut down the booming housing market, as it did in the spring 2020 lockdown, if the coronavirus pandemic worsens.

Guidance issued on Monday, shortly after prime minister Boris Johnson announced the most recent national lockdown, made clear that the housing market would remain open despite the closure of the hospitality industry and most shops and schools.

Covid administration

However, made clear that the government will consider regional or national closures of the  market, should it be deemed necessary to manage the spread of coronavirus.

While the guidance said that, overall 鈥渢he housing market in England will remain open during this national lockdown鈥�, it added that 鈥渋t may become necessary to pause all home moves locally or nationally for a short period of time to manage the spread of coronavirus鈥�.

The government has pledged to 鈥渓et you know if this needs to happen鈥�.

The housing market was effectively closed to all but unavoidable home moves between the end of March and the middle of May, causing a hiatus in transactions that even the surge in activity since has not been able to fully make up for.

HMRC figures published at the end of last month said that despite residential sales having hit their highest level in 13 years in November, the number of transactions recorded in the financial year to date was still, at 626,550, more than a fifth lower than the equivalent figure in 2019.

The guidance issued by the housing ministry said buyers may want to make 鈥渃ontractual provisions鈥� to manage the risks of undertaking transactions during the pandemic, such as the possibility transactions might have to be paused. It said: 鈥淵ou should not expect to immediately be able to move into any home where people have covid-19 or are self-isolating.鈥�

However, it made clear that, for the moment, all parts of the house sale process are allowed to carry on working: 鈥淧eople looking to move home will be able to both continue with planned moves and view new properties to move into in the future.

鈥淓state and lettings agents, removers, valuers and people in sales and lettings offices and show homes will be able to continue working.鈥�