Restrictions on home viewings ‘have pushed up prices by 10%’

RESTRICTIONS on viewings are pushing up house prices by 10%, a leading group of estate agents has claimed.

The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) yesterday called on the Government to allow in-person viewings for house-hunters ahead of a further lifting of restrictions due to be announced tomorrow.

The IPAV warned the current restrictions have pushed up property prices by as much as 10% in recent months, pointing to the smaller number of properties on the market and intense competition among buyers as reasons for the rise. IPAV chief Pat Davitt said: ‘The restrictions have meant vendors and agents have declined to put properties on the market. It has become clear that prospective buyers will not purchase a property without viewing it. When a property is sold online and the purchaser eventually views it, there is a risk that the sale may not go through.

‘Buyers just want to get on with the viewing. When agents refuse to view because of the restrictions, many buyers go directly to owners to attempt to view by either ringing them, turning up at their door or dropping notes through their letterboxes.

‘These adverse and unforeseen difficulties are making a dysfunctional property market ever more so.’

He said the present restrictions have ‘outlived their purpose’ given that the sector has been closed for more than four months, the number of Covid-19 infections has fallen and the vaccine rollout is well under way.

‘This, along with the fact that the industry has adapted very well with robust health and safety measures, makes for compelling reasons why face-to-face viewing restrictions should be lifted from May 4,’ Mr Davitt added.

He said the Government needs also to allow agents to reopen offices in May.

The IPAV is appealing to the Government to endorse these measures when it announces the next steps in opening up the economy tomorrow.