The real estate industry will be able to physically operate again once the lockdown is lifted - but many of the restrictions in place now will still apply.
The Government's announcement on how businesses can safely operate during Alert Level 3 included the following detail about the real estate profession: "A real estate agent can open, but people should work from home if they can. The agent can enter peoples’ homes, but not have customers in the office. You cannot run an open home…… Similarly, workers going into peoples' homes, such as furniture removers, electricians and plumbers could also return, on the basis that distancing is maintained."
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand chief executive Bindi Norwell welcomed today's clarity from the Government, saying: "Over the past few weeks the institute has worked closely with the real estate profession to develop guidance on what real estate activity can occur at various levels. This guidance was provided to different Ministers on April 9 and today’s clarifications seem to line up with the material we have prepared.
"We will welcome further clarification from ministers over the coming days, in order to allow the real estate profession to support people buying or selling a home. We’re also looking for additional clarification around whether private viewings of homes and rental properties are acceptable under Level 3.
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"Once we have this additional information, we will be releasing detailed guidelines for the profession in the coming days."
