Safety Measures For Reopening

Our staff have been trained and they will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for your safety.
Whilst we are happy to be able to return to work, we have adopted the mantra of safety first, business second. It is of paramount importance to us that the safety of our clients, staff or the general public, as well as our community, is in no way compromised. We are confident that the measures which have been implemented will allow us to operate while helping everyone to stay as safe as houses.

With this in mind, please find below the following changes and measures which are now in place for our customers, staff and communities protection.

OFFICES

Our offices’ will primarily be closed to general pedestrian footfall. Any meetings that are required will be undertaken by digital means or telephone. Where this is not possible, meetings will take place by appointment only. It will be clearly displayed that the office is open by appointment only using window displays, pavement swing boards or similar display methods. Any meetings that do take place will be in a boxed off area away from others, which is at least 2 to 4 meters away from any member of staff. Safe distancing measures, “Do not cross lines” and box spaces will be floor marked to ensure this is enforced. PPE will be used by all staff for your protection, this will include such items as face masks, gloves, as well as antibacterial hand sanitiser. All areas of the office will be thoroughly cleaned throughout the day, with diluted 1-part bleach to 4 parts water spray. Staff have adopted the attitude of leaving these areas cleaner than before they found it.
All office protective measures will clearly be displayed to the public and must be followed. If any of these measures are broken during the meeting, the meeting will be terminated for your and our staffs’ protection.

VIEWINGS (Unfurnished/Vacant)

A procedure will be agreed with all clients individually in advance of any viewing taking place.
Health check forms from all parties will have to be completed.

Before any viewing takes place, you will be talked through the property film. If the property film is unavailable, a member of staff that is well acquainted with the property will discuss all points and answer any questions or queries you may have. After this, you should undertake a “drive-by viewing to assess the location taking into consideration such things as road, rail or aircraft and proximity to schools and local amenities such as shops, leisure and entertainment. Once these precautionary steps have been completed we can move on to arranging your appointment to view. During confirmation of the viewing, you shall receive a strict viewing policy, you must read this and abide by this at all times. If the policy is broken during the viewing, the viewing will be terminated for your protection.Before the viewing takes place, one of our team will arrive early and open all internal doors and access the outdoor space such as the garden and garage so that there is no need for doors to be handled. We will allow the viewer to view the property alone, but they must abide by the strict viewing policy and follow the instruction of not touching anything inside the property. Anyone who enters the property for viewing must be wearing PPE. This includes; gloves and face masks as well as having antibacterial hand sanitiser. Once the viewing has been completed all discussions will be held outside the property or on return home over phone/digitally, so that social distancing can be observed at all times. Before and after every viewing, the property will be checked to ensure it is in a clean and secure state.

VIEWINGS (Furnished/Occupied)

Follow the outlined measures above for unfurnished/unoccupied viewings but with the addition of the following measures; the sellers must vacate the confines of the property by either going for a local walk or remaining outside in the garden whilst the viewing is taking place. If the seller decides to go on a walk, they will be notified by mobile when the viewing has been completed. We ask that the sellers open all internal doors and doors to the garden and garage in order to minimise contact. If not, the agent will go in and do this before the viewing begins. The agent shall be present in the property so as to protect the seller’s personal items. We will not be following the viewer into each room, but instead remaining in neutral spaces such as the landing area or hall area, where we are able to see the viewer and provide directions to each room. We will maintain strict 2m distancing rules and increase these to 3/4m wherever possible. We will actively try to limit any conversations inside the property to the absolute minimum and spend the shortest time in the property as possible. We will then reconvene outside for any discussions or follow up via telephone after the appointment.

VALUATIONS

Before any valuation takes place we will use online data tools to explore the value of the property. Vendors would be welcomed to send internal pictures or film footage of the property to help us arrive at an accurate valuation.
Prior to any physical valuation, we will ascertain the reasons for the valuation and assess whether a physical valuation is a necessary requirement or appropriate. Before any physical valuation, health check forms must be completed by all parties. We request that the vendor vacates the property by remaining in the garden, going for a walk or perhaps to sit in their car whilst we conduct the valuation. If the vendor decides to go on a walk, they will be notified by mobile when the valuation has been completed. Any agent performing a valuation will be wearing PPE, which will include a face mask and gloves, whilst also carrying antibacterial hand sanitiser. If these measures are broken during the valuation, the valuation will be terminated for you and our staffs’ protection. The vendor must open all internal doors and doors to the garden and garage. This is for ease of access and to minimise contact. On completion of the valuation, the agent shall leave and all further discussions will take place on the telephone/digitally and not at the property.

INSTRUCTIONS

A procedure will be agreed with all clients individually regarding access and with regards to undertaking marketing. and the procedures that we intend to adopt. Should you have any specific requirements these can be tailored for your needs accordingly. Once again, health check forms must be completed by all parties. We shall arrange a time for internal photography to be undertaken. For this to happen the vendor must vacate the property by remaining in the garden, going for a walk or perhaps sitting in their car whilst we photograph the property. If the vendor decides to go on a walk, they will be notified by mobile when the photography has been completed. The vendor must open all internal doors and doors to the garden and garage. This is for ease of access and to minimise contact. We also request lighting is left on, for the same reasons.
If required, an additional party will join us to document a floor plan or EPC. This will be arranged for the same day as the photographer and we will endeavour to book this in at similar times. In order to observe distancing rules, we will aim to book these 30 mins apart so that the property only has one of each service provider inside at any one time. We will ensure that the photographer, floor plan & EPC provider have also completed the health check form.
On completion of the instruction, the agent and all parties shall leave and all further discussions with the agent will take place on the telephone/digitally and not at the property.If these measures are broken during the instruction, the instruction will be terminated for you and our staffs’ protection.

Seymours will undertake, to its best endeavours, every precaution possible to protect you, their staff and the community. However, all appointments are undertaken at your own risk. Should you have any concerns please contact a member of the Seymours team in advance of an appointment taking place.