Portals are refusing agents' request for PTO during the coronavirus pandemic

The three top portals in the UK real estate market have refused requests to give the industry paid leave to help firms through the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Estate Agent Today was approached by three independent agents exasperated about the prospect of sharply reduced revenue as a result of Coronavirus, which may well stretch over several months.

Amy Dixon, Chief Executive of online agency iMoveHome, contacted EAT on behalf of her firm and the High Street agency James Du Pavey - based in Nantwich and Eccleshall - and the Staffordshire High Street agency Dourish and Day. 

Dixon said: 

“As agents, we have had the most incredibly difficult 18 months, if we have survived Brexit, we are now to cope with Coronavirus. The market is suffering again and lenders are clamming up.

“The portals, being agents' largest company bill, have done nothing to help agents keep going. Surely now is the time. Mortgage lenders are offering three months payment holiday to anyone affected, interest rates dropped, the government are taking the damage to our economy seriously but the portals again offer nothing. 

“Isn't it time the portals offered agents some ease and recognise they need to help too!

“If they do not react the only survivors will be the corporates - independents may not make it through another tough year of turmoil. James and Steve both run seriously good, award winning independent high street agencies, I am an online as you know - we are all going to suffer as the market spirals into decline.”

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