‘Zombie house viewing’ is in no one’s interest
Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, restaurateurs in many parts of the country have been voicing growing concerns about a problem that, while not new, is having increasingly negative consequences as they try to recover from the financial hit caused by the pandemic.
The problem is the “customer” who books a table then fails to turn up, usually without having the courtesy to inform the restaurant of their change of plans.
Understandably, restaurant-owners most badly affected have had to resort to charging non-returnable deposits, for “no shows”, which of course often only compensates for a small part of the loss incurred.
In the residential property sector the equivalent for agents – and their vendor clients – are people who view houses for sale with absolutely no intention of buying.
This behaviour has several reasons, such as basic nosiness, a desire to pick up hints about internal layouts, and simply seizing the opportunity to spend a weekend on the cheap (unlike eating out or going to the cinema, property viewing does not incur any financial cost).
Before Covid-19 changed the way we live, most agents and vendors treated this practice as something that had to be endured – especially as there was always the chance, however remote, that a “zombie viewer” might have a change of heart and actually follow up with an offer.
However, with most people now less confident about meeting strangers, especially indoors and most especially within the confines of their own homes, zombie viewing has become much less acceptable. After all, what seller would want, in the present circumstances, to let through the front door someone who was not a serious buyer?
Earlier this month the controversy took a new turn when it was revealed that one highbe end property agency in Ireland had begun to ask prospective buyers allegedly interested in houses on a new-build development in County Dublin, to show detailed financial information and proof of their ability to buy, before being permitted to view.
A questionnaire asks whether they’re firsttime buyers, investors or existing owners, and wants “evidence of all savings that will used in the purchase” or “evidence of gifts from family members, if applicable”.
In order to view the houses, which range in price from €395,000 for a mid terrace to €565,000 for a detached house, “full proof of funds” are requested, including details of any approved home loans.
The agency has justified the move on the basis that its staff in Ireland were following Covidrelated advice from the Republic's own Property Services Regulatory Authority, although head office in London insisted that this policy did not apply to any of its branches in the UK.
Reaction from property professionals in this country has tended to veer towards approval to some sort of scheme or policy that discourages zombie viewing, especially as it leads to strangers mingling indoors with no ultimate purpose.
In an ideal world it would be good if this practice could be stopped or greatly reduced but at the same time restrictions on viewers could be counter-productive as it goes against the sense of transparency that is a key part of successful property sales (and lettings). David Alexander is managing director of DJ Alexander