Covid-19 - We're Open For Business

Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Update 21^st May 2020

We continue to work with government guidance and in line with advice from our professional body NAEA Propertymark. Further to the announcement last week, we have completed best-practice guide to protect the safety of our staff, our clients and the way we do business.

Our offices continue to operate a closed-door policy and we would discourage visitors from attending unless it is absolutely necessary. Where attendance is necessary, visits to our offices should be arranged by prior appointment.

We are delighted to report there has been a healthy demand for our services since we reopened and although providing market appraisals (valuations), conducting viewings etc is the norm, the way we go about this side of the business must adapt.

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.

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. Viewings must only be attended by people from the sale household and ideally no more than two people plus our agent. Children are discouraged from attending where possible.  You are responsible for your own safety and must consider the personal protective equipment you feel is necessary. 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.

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