COVID Plan
How We Are Helping Our Customers Sell Safely
We are helping our customers by providing guidance and tips to best present their property no matter whether the viewing or visit is done virtually or whether it is done in person. Our guidance includes a comprehensive manual on how to properly use Zoom for virtual viewings as well as best practice for in person viewings.
The guidelines our DLPCs are to adhere to whilst conducting their visit
We have prepared our local property consultants and you, as our vendors, on how to have a safe property visit!
We will ask on the compliance form:
“At Doorsteps, we are keen to protect you and our staff as best we can. So, in light of the Covid Pandemic, please confirm that the DLPC is able to do photos, floor plans etc. whilst you are:”
a. Away from the property as it is empty/vacant
b. Stay outside the property whilst the agent does their work
DLPC Guidance (to our own local property consultant)
DLPCs will be required to contact the vendor and get proof that they confirm their answer to the question that they are either happy to follow you around and adhere to the government guidelines on social distancing, or stay outside or will safely facilitate the keys for you as the property is vacant.
The DLPCs will be provided with necessary PPE.
If the photos are requested to be seen by the vendor whilst still at the property, the vendor will need to put on a fresh pair of new latex gloves after they have used alcoholic anti-bac gel.
The vendor will be instructed as follows:
-Ensure all rooms that you wish to present to the DLPC are open. This will minimize the amount of door handles touched!
-If you have stairs, please keep a cleaning spray and cloth nearby to wipe down the banister after the visit.
-To remove any ambiguity, please clean the house before the visit.
-Have a plan as to which route you would like the DLPC to follow. Inform them of this plan when you meet them.
During the visit
-If you are allowing the potential buyer into your home, please observe social distancing by staying more than 2m apart – assuming the DLPC is happy with this. They will reserve their right to leave the property if they feel unsafe.
The process will usually take between 10-16 weeks, though with Doorsteps Conveyancing, with the in-house panel, the process can be up to 38% quicker!
We apply this to our 'Virtual Valuation' practice as well whereby we:
-Value your property by you showing us around your property
-We will give you a contactless copy of our multiple page report, which will give you the reasons as to why we think your property is worth what we believe it to be.
Doorsteps Guidance on Safe Viewing Processes
To ensure the safety of all participating parties and to adhere to recent government issued safety recommendations we have put together a list of steps you can take before, during and after the viewing process. Although servicing your requests is our top priority, we have guarantee protection in every way possible to every party implicated, including our own local property consultants. Thank you for being considerate and mindful of everyone’s safety!
Before the viewing
-Ensure all rooms that you wish to present to the prospective buyer are open. This will minimise the amount of door handles touched!
-Increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning.
-If you have stairs, please keep a cleaning spray and cloth nearby to wipe down the bannister after the visit.
-To remove any ambiguity, please clean the house before any viewing
-Have a plan as to which route you would like the potential buyer to follow.
-Inform them of this plan when you meet them.
During the viewing
-If you are allowing the potential buyer into your home, please observe social distancing by staying more than 2m apart.
-Stick to the plan you constructed for the potential buyer to follow.
-Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible – a 15 minute viewing for a typical 3 bedroom property should suffice.
Things that potential buyers would need to do
-Wear gloves and a mask if possible. However, before entering the property, they take their mask off to show the vendor of the property their whole face
-Refrain from touching anything that is not necessary.
-Adhere to the route plan set out by the vendor.
-Make every reasonable effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government – including limiting to two adults at the viewing, from the same household
