Procedures for Viewings 

We are recommending that prospective purchasers should use virtual viewings before visiting properties in person where possible, please contact us to discuss the options we have available.

   Our policy advice to vendors.

• We are encouraging prospective purchasers to do their Initial viewings virtually wherever this is possible and physical viewings should only be conducted where buyers are seriously considering making an offer on a property.
• To support this, we will ask home occupiers if they are willing to make a short "walk around" video on their mobile phone or where possible we will offer a full 360 tour. This will help reduce the number of properties people need to visit before finding their future home.
• Should a physical viewing be agreed. If any member of either the household being viewed, or the household undertaking a viewing is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then a physical viewing should be delayed.
• All viewings will be strictly by appointment and only involve members of a single household, no open house viewings will take place. We will ask that viewings are kept as short as possible and feedback will be provided by telephone and email following the viewing.
• If a property is being viewed, the vendor should open all the internal doors prior to the viewing, turn on all lights and where practical open windows. Viewers will be asked to maintain a "hands in pockets" protocol during the viewing however door handles and work surfaces should be wiped down by the homeowner prior to the viewing.
• Please if possible arrange access to handwashing facilities and ideally separate towels/paper towels. These should be washed or disposed of safely after use.
• As most people choose to do, we encourage that vendors vacate their property whilst viewings are taking place in order to minimise their contact with those not in their household. This will be co-ordinated by our sales negotiator. 
• When viewing a property, all parties should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces where possible. We will ask viewers to restrict the number of people who accompany them on a viewing so that social distancing can be practised, and only those in their immediate household should be there.
• We will accompany clients on a viewing but follow social distancing rules wherever possible. Where viewings are unaccompanied, we will make sure viewers and homeowners understand how they should conduct themselves.
• Once the viewing has taken place, the homeowner should ensure surfaces, such as door handles and work surfaces are cleaned with standard household cleaning products and towels disposed of safely or washed as appropriate.

       Our policy advice to prospective purchasers.

• You must confirm whether any party is showing symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate before going ahead with any viewing, or visits to our offices.
• We operate a strict appointment system for visits to our offices and when conducting viewings. 
• We do not carry out any open house viewings.
• We strongly encourage you to view properties virtually in the first instance and then only physically inspect properties which you have a strong interest in. Please contact us regarding what virtual viewing options are available for the property you are interested in.
• We will accompany physical viewings and seek to maintain a minimum of 2 metres distance from others wherever possible. Where social distancing is not possible and the visit is within an enclosed space, we will suggest that you should consider wearing a face covering in line with government guidance.
• Viewings should only involve members of a single household and where possible be a maximum of 2 people. We would ask that viewings are kept as short as possible and follow-up conversations are done by telephone following the viewing.
• Where we do not accompany the visit, we will make sure that both buyers and sellers clearly understand how the viewing should be conducted safely.
• We will not drive clients to appointments.
• All parties viewing a property should wash their hands with soap and water (or hand sanitiser if available) immediately after entering the properties, internal doors will have been left open and surfaces will have been wiped down before you enter. Separate towels or paper towels should be used where provided. 

       Our commitment to our clients and employees. 

• We are working hard to ensure that we maintain an office environment which is both a safe place to work and meets the health and safety criteria set out in Government guidelines by adopting the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards. All our offices display signed copies of the "Five Steps To Safer Working Together" directive confirming we are compliant.
• We will conduct all physical interactions in a safe manner as set out in our internal policies and as detailed above. 
• We will promote flexibility when arranging move dates, for example advising clients to ensure contracts have explicit terms to manage the timing risks presented by coronavirus.
• We will work with our clients and other agents to broker a new date to move where sales are due to complete and one of the parties falls ill with coronavirus or has to self-isolate.
• We will ensure that any keys are appropriately cleaned before handover.