UPDATED COVID STATEMENT
17th May 2021
As we start to see some easing of restrictions across the UK, it is important that we all work together to maintain the hard work which everyone has contributed towards in minimising Covid risk and for the safe keeping of our customers and our colleagues.
As Guild members operate across the UK, there may be regional variations or local and national lockdown restrictions which affect the home moving process in your location – these will always supersede any information provided by us.
The following outlines our recommendations to continue to operate in covid secure way:
1. People at work
Guidance remains that people should continue to work from home where they can but where this is not possible for personal or business reasons, then it is permitted to work from the office, but:
- No one should attend work the office or any face to face appointment if they are showing any of the covid symptoms.
- No one should attend work or any face to face appointments’ if they have been advised too self-isolate.
2. Our Offices
We will adhere to Government guidance on social distancing measures and face coverings.
Face coverings will always be worn by the team (unless exempt) whenever any member of the public is present.
Many of our offices are operating an appointment-only system. We may also keep the front door locked to control the number of visitors within each branch, this will provide extra assurance to both our team and anyone visiting.
Offices should have a supply of hand sanitiser available on each desk for staff, visitors, and customers to use.
We will continue to ensure our offices and all equipment and surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis to help prevent risks of spread of the virus.
We will continue to ask visitors to either scan the NHS test and trace bar code or provide us with their contact details so that contact can be made in the case of a positive covid test case.
3. Valuations and Viewings
Estate Agency is a ‘people’ business and requires interaction with sellers, buyers, applicants, landlords, tenants, and contractors to name but a few.
We will continue to promote our digital option as our ‘first option’. We have made a significant investment in the technology available which enables us to reduce the level customer and therefore reducing the risk of spreading the virus, yet still being able to actively promote and market the properties we have for sale.
Any face-to-face meeting will always be by appointment only and prior to any meeting taking place, we will issue email confirmation outlining what will happen on the appointment
We will ask a few questions regarding COVID symptoms or whether someone in the household is self-isolating.
All parties will be asked to wear a face covering throughout the appointment. We will respectfully avoid any handshaking or physical contact and adhere to social distancing where possible. We may also kindly ask that the occupier opens all doors for us, to avoid unnecessary contact. We will avoid any touching of surfaces during the visit.
There will be no open house viewings for the time being.
There are no national restrictions on applicants viewing a property but for the time being we would request that the number of people viewing are restricted to ‘essential’ only. We know buying a property is an exciting part of your life and that naturally you want to share that experience with loved ones, but by keeping the level of customer contact to a minimum you are helping restrict the possibility of spreading the virus.
4. Health and Safety for Tenants
All Health and Safety matters such as annual gas safety checks and mandatory electrical testing will continue as will visits to resolve any reported maintance issues. No contractor will attend an appointment if they are showing symptoms or self-isolating and all will follow covid secure procedures.
In summary
It is our sole intention is to continue to work safely in the interests of all customers who use our services and for our teams, but with health and safety as our primary concern. We will continue to review this policy to ensure it remains stringent.
We thank you for doing business with us and appreciate you working with us as we have all come to terms with operating differently over the last 12 months and as we start to come out of restrictions.
Our 6 Point Guide to keeping you safe – Our Covid Policy 1st June 2020
At Sawdye & Harris we remain committed to ensuring the safety of all of those with whom we work and working within government guidance whilst trying to minimise any disruption and provide essential services wherever possible. We are taking guidance from our professional bodies, The Guild of Property Professionals and Propertymark as we issue this guidance and try to navigate through the new way of working. In order to keep everyone safe we have prepared out Guide to Keeping you Safe - https://www.flipsnack.com/sawdye/six-point-guide-to-keeping-your-safe.html
The full Government guidance relating to the renting, selling , buying of property during this period can be read here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak .
In particular the main points we would draw your attention to are detailed below;
If you or anyone in your household have coronavirus symptoms, you should stay at home and self isolate and not attend any viewings or request visits from our agents.
Viewings
Viewings will only be conducted after a virtual viewing has taken place if there is one and then only two people per household can view a property at a time.
Sales viewings are only permitted for people in a proceedable position, proof of which will need to be provided beforehand.
When you attend a viewing please wait in the car outside the property or on the pavement if you have taken public transport. Our team will greet you when you can enter the property.
Please ensure you are wearing gloves and a face covering/mask and respect social distancing throughout the viewing. You should always stay two meters away from our agent or other people near the property . You should bring your own hand sanitizer to use after the viewing.
You will not be permitted to enter the property if you attend without gloves and face coverings/masks.
Offers on sale and lettings properties
Offers on properties for sale and let should be made by telephone or email. All identification checks and reference checks will be conducted via email and facetime if required.
Moving in / key collection
You should arrange directly with local removal companies and follow government advice regarding social distancing when preparing to move. All key handovers will be done contact-free by either being left in a key safe of by a pre-arranged collection appointment.
Valuations
We can conduct valuations safely either virtually or in person whilst adhering to our 6 Pint Guide to keeping you safe – https://www.flipsnack.com/sawdye/six-point-guide-to-keeping-your-safe.html
We recommend all doors and windows are left open and we will wear gloves and a face mask to keep you safe.
Property Advice
We are here to help so please just call or email us.
Office visits- Our locked door policy
We are open for business but for the well-being and safety of our staff and clients we have introduced a locked door policy in that our office remains closed to members of the public and clients without a prior appointment.
Our staff are working from home primarily, however, our staff frequently visit the office for administrative purposes. Any permitted visits must be in accordance with government advice regarding social distancing and personal protection equipment being worn. Attendees will be required to wear gloves and face coverings when attending the office.
Our offices remain open for business but behind locked doors. We are fully operational but you must contact us via TELEPHONE or EMAIL ONLY. Our phone lines and email are open to anyone who requires assistance for any reason including sales progression, booking an appointment or a general enquiry.
Contractors attending office
Contractors are not permitted to attend our offices without prior agreement. Keys for contractors will be left in a secure key box for collection if required and should be wiped down after use and returned through the office letter box.
Gas Inspections and visits from contractors for current tenants
Gas inspections, electric safety checks and other maintenance works required are being carried out where possible and following the same guidance as per property visits. Contractors will advise tenants as per their instructions for preparing for their visit. Properties will be required to be ventilated with doors and windows open 15 minutes before hand and tenants should if possible be out of the property (in garden or car) for the duration of the visit.
Contractors are required to wear PPE when attending properties for the safety of both themselves and the occupants.
Our aim is to keep you safe !
Best wishes
Katie Griffin
Sawdye & Harris