HBF and government confirm housing market to stay open

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have today published a joint communique confirming the government’s position regarding the ongoing operations of the home building industry during the national lockdown in England that begins on Thursday November 5.

The message to the housing industry, signed by housing secretary Robert Jenrick and HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley, clarifies that all home building and housing market activities should remain open for business provided that health and safety measures are complied with and public health guidance is followed. This includes home builder sales offices.

HBF says that since the announcement on Saturday of the forthcoming national lockdown, it has been in regular dialogue with officials and ministers at MHCLG, as well as partners from across the housing market, to ensure the smooth operation of home building activities with the aim of minimising confusion around the rules for builders, suppliers, service providers, homebuyers and others.

The message to the industry states that “Housebuilding – and the supply chains that support it – should continue working securely”.

Following discussions between HBF and MHCLG over recent days, the wording also communicates the government’s intention that activities associated with the …