The Viewing Survival Guide for Post Lockdown Viewings
We created a guide for Landlords and Vendors to follow post lockdown to help ensure the safety of both them and their viewers.
With the housing market off to a steady start since lockdown was lifted for the industry a few weeks ago - people are eager to get access to rentals and properties for sale in a bid to secure their next home. However, the guidelines suggest observing the current "Stay Alert" guidelines which include the Social and Physical distancing measures.
To help with this we created our set of rules which are good to follow before, during and after a viewing to keep yourself, as a property owner, safe.
The key pieces of advice from the government regarding the recent changes to lockdown include:
- Maintaining a distance of 2m+ between yourself and third parties NOT in your household. This can be tricky in smaller properties however if your smart with where you want to stand during viewings and vigilant enough to speak up if someone is too close this should not be an impossible task.
- Wash your hands regularly - wash them before and after viewings – do not touch your face while the viewing is taking place as this will help attempt to keep the Coronavirus at bay.
- Regularly clean the items touched often in viewings - door handles, stair rails, doorbells, and light switches - if you live in the property this is especially important.
Things to consider before anyone enters the property.
- Has anyone in the house had COVID-19? It may be worth isolating the property for a few weeks for the virus to die before letting anyone inside your home.
- Has anyone had symptoms or self-isolated?
- Is anyone in the High-Risk category - It might be better to make sure they are out of the property while thorough cleaning is done pre and post viewing.
- Can you provide a washing station or hand sanitiser at the door for the safety of both you and the viewer?
- Do you know where you will stand to adhere to the 2-meter rule, or do you know where you could go whilst the viewing takes place?
Most of us will clean your home/property before someone comes to see it and now is no different! use it as an opportunity to have a good spring clean. Furthermore - its important people feel comfortable in the property, people will be more nervous and uncomfortable opening doors and cupboards after the Covid-19 outbreak so don’t be offended if they ask you to open doors etc - unfortunately it's how things might be for a while.
After the viewing it's a good idea to get the marigolds on to clean those often-touched areas - a once over with an antibacterial wipe such as Dettol is sufficient to kill Covid-19! Finally, when the viewing finishes as tempting as it might be to be polite and shake their hand - don't.