The housing market recovery is being “killed off” by the coronavirus outbreak with viewings down 50%, according to a report in the Telegraph, which said that “thousands of estate agents” have been put at risk as coronavirus chokes off the housing market recovery.

The story quotes Mark Hayward, CEO at the NAEA, as saying that there has been a “marked reduction” in viewings over the last ten days.

He says of agents: “Cash flow is critical. If they have been experiencing a tough time and times toughen even further, there may well be some casualties.”

However, housing analyst Henry Pryor threw off the gloom in a tweet yesterday, saying: “I’ve not witnessed this nor have I heard estate agents mention it. I viewed 19 properties last week. Looks to me like a most unhelpful sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.”