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Estate agents are encouraged to take viewings to the digital arena and limit in-person viewings. PICTURE: AUGUST DE RICHELIEU / PEXELS
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HILE estate agents can continue to work in adjusted alert level 4, they have been urged to take the coronavirus, which has already claimed the lives of some estate agents, seriously. The Real Estate Business Owners Association (Rebosa) urged agents to hold off on show houses, to limit in-person viewings and to observe all Covid-19 protocols during the 14 days that have so far been alloted for the adjusted alert level 4 lockdown. On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new restrictions, which would be reviewed on July 11, in response to the rising level of Covid-related illnesses and deaths which has thrown the country into its third wave. Rebosa said it was time to be extra cautious and also urged buyers, sellers and renters who were not happy with how estate agents were carrying out safety protocols to report them to authorities. This week, Rebosa said real estate was not mentioned as one of the businesses which may not operate during the adjusted lockdown level 4. This is in contrast to last year when estate agents languished during hard lockdown, unable to operate for over three months. The lockdown last year meant some agents and agencies could not continue to operate when the economy was re-opened. However, those that did survive were blessed with high sales as a pent-up market – fuelled by low interest rates – was ready to buy. While estate agents are encouraged to continue to operate under the new restrictions, they have been urged to do so in accordance with the strict health and safety measures set out in the sector-
Real estate is allowed to continue to operate in adjusted alert level 4. This is what estate agents should and should not be doing VIVIAN WARBY vivian.warby@inl.co.za specific protocols, which ensure safe and responsible trading, says Tony Clarke, Rebosa chairperson. “Safety is obviously a major concern and, ever since the start of this pandemic 16 months ago, we have been engaged in continuous discussion around ways to ensure that social distancing and stringent hygiene protocols remain in place during all real estate activities – even more so in the face of infection rate spikes like the one we’re currently facing,” says Clarke. “Unfortunately, the third wave is growing much faster than our vaccination figures, which means now is not the time to drop our guard.” In addition to ensuring that all sectorspecific health and safety protocols are in place at all times, Rebosa has the following recommendations in terms of navigating operations amid the current restrictions: S H O W H O U S E S Do not conduct these during the next two weeks – especially in Gauteng which has more than 60% of the new cases, nationally. D I G I TA L Wherever possible, properties should be shown to potential buyers or tenants via videos or 3D virtual tours, which even allow for showing a specific property to multiple clients at once. I N - P E R S O N V I E W I N G S Limit these to qualified buyers and tenants as far as possible, thereby ensuring that everyone involved is less exposed. E X T R A S Agents should never travel in the same vehicle as their clients and should ensure that general safety measures, such as maximum ventilation, social distancing,
proper sanitising and masks, are in place at all times. C U R F E W Rebosa also recommends that all viewings and other business activities cease by 8pm, to ensure that agents and clients can be at their residences before the 9pm curfew. P R O P E R T Y A U C T I O N S In terms of the latest regulations, gatherings for auctions will not be permitted until July 11, after which this will be reviewed. Rebosa recommends individual viewings of properties up for auction be arranged with interested buyers, after which an online auction can be conducted. M O V I N G H O M E As per the gazetted regulations pertaining to moving residences, tenants and buyers are allowed to travel for this purpose during adjusted alert level 4, including in and out of Gauteng. Rebosa suggests that agents recommend their clients have a copy of their agreement of sale or lease on their person, in case this is requested by authorities. I N T E R P R O V I N C I A L T R AV E L Travel in and out of Gauteng for any reason other than business, the transportation of goods or to attend funerals is not permitted. Agents needing to traverse Gauteng provincial borders to get to work or back home will require a permit. This can be obtained by filling in form 7A, which can be found at http://www.thedtic.gov.za/ wp-content/uploads/FORM-71.pdf. R E M O T E W O R K Agents are encouraged to work from home whenever possible,
minimising in-office exposure. In the event that support staff are needed to work at the office, strict in-office hygiene controls and screening should be observed, while social distancing and mask-wearing should be enforced at all times. “We now have almost a year and half of concrete evidence that abiding by strict Covid-19 protocols does not affect an agent’s ability to successfully facilitate a property transaction,” Clarke says. IF AGENTS DON’T FOLLOW P R O T O C O L ”Buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants should make a point of confirming their agents are following best practices and demand better from them if they are not behaving with the professionalism our industry expects. “Rebosa encourages homeowners to report agents who are not adhering to these critical protocols. “Agents can be held liable and face consequences which include fines and possible imprisonment.”
Tony Clarke, Rebosa chairperson.
