COVID-19 November 2020

Posted on Monday, November 2, 2020

The housing market is to remain open in the four week lockdown in England. We continue to work with government guidance and in line with advice from our professional body NAEA Propertymark.

In order to protect both our clients and our staff, we continue to work within a modified remit in order that we can reduce the risk from Covid-19. We are returning to a closed-door policy from Monday the 2^nd of November and clients should therefore contact us in order to arrange to be seen on an appointment basis only. Clients who are attending our offices, or are viewing a property are asked to wear a suitable face covering as described in government guidance, unless you are exempt from this requirement. This should be confirmed with the agent before arrival. You are responsible for your own safety and must consider the personal protective equipment you feel is necessary. Our agents are taking all necessary measures regarding personal protection equipment. Anybody with any concerns should contact our office in advance of their visit.

All viewings where prospective buyers are entering a property must involve no more than two households inside the property at any one time. This includes the agent accompanying either party. Where prospective buyers who are from separate households wish to view at the same time, one household must leave the property to allow the other to enter. This ensures social distancing. Children are discouraged from attending where possible.  

To reduce the spread of coronavirus it is important only those who are serious about purchasing physically view a property. We may therefore ask for more details about your financial situation prior to being allowed to view. If an occupant of a property, or a potential buyer have symptoms, however mild, are self-isolating or have been in contact with COVID-19 within the past 14-days, then the viewing cannot take place until the shielding period is complete. Our agents will ensure as much as possible viewings are contactless, turning lights on and opening doors to limit surface contact. Open houses are not permitted and we will aim to leave enough time between more than one viewing at any one property.  

All offers received will be presented to our client in the usual manner.

No market appraisals will take place if any person within a property is showing symptoms, is self-isolating or is shielding. We want to work with our clients to make sure if we are attending a property it is hazard free. Our agents will use protective equipment where necessary and record who has attended a property should the need arise for contact tracing.

We are committed to maintaining support and progressing sales through our in-house legal team for both buyers and sellers. It is clear that there is a healthy level of demand locally with buyers searching, sellers making ready to sell and mortgages becoming more fluid and available.

Thank you to everybody for their patience and understanding in these unprecedented times and if you have any queries regarding the content of this message, please contact us on 01282 415057 or email estateagents@cliffordsmithsutcliffe.net. You can also request our handy best practice guide which provides more detail on the way we intend to operate.

Stay safe,

Clifford Smith Sutcliffe