UPDATE

WE ARE OPEN DURING NOVEMBER LOCKDOWN!

The Secretary of State for Housing, Mr Robert Jenrick, has now confirmed that estate agency may continue to operate and remain open for business during the November 2020 lockdown. So, what does this mean for estate agents, their vendors, and potential buyers?

Here at Saunders & Lingard we will continue to offer our high level of service to our vendor clients and purchasers and remain fully available by appointment, phone, and email.

Our FREE Market valuation services can continue, and we can offer either a Virtual Valuation or a property visit, subject to strict COVID-19 safety protocols.

For vendors we will also continue to market your property BUT will only undertake viewings with proceedable buyers. All viewers must wear mask and gloves when attending a viewing, with a maximum of two adults allowed (no children) and with a 15-minute time limit.

For those wishing to view a property, it is essential that you are able to confirm that you are in a proceedable position before any viewing can be arranged i.e. that you have either already sold subject to contract, or do not have to sell in order to proceed with a purchase, and that you have finances in place.

All viewers must wear mask and gloves when attending a viewing, with a maximum of two adults allowed (no children) and with a maximum 15-minute time limit.

And finally, please can we kindly ask everyone to respect the safety of our team, and to wear a mask for all face-to-face meetings. Thank you.

INFORMATION FOR SELLERS

When we visit to Value your property, we respectfully request that you help us to follow the guidelines the government has issued to us:

• We must conduct the appointment under the current ‘safe social distancing’ guidance, i.e. minimum of 2m.
• Please ensure that the property is cleaned before we visit, and that all internal doors are open for us.
• Only ‘relevant/necessary’ members of the household are to be present at the appointment, with a maximum of 2.
• If ANY member of the household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then the appointment MUST be postponed.
• We will ask for emailed/written confirmation that your household are not showing any symptoms before the appointment.
• We will wear gloves and face coverings if you wish us to.
• Please ensure handwashing facilities are accessible and that handwash and clean paper towels and/or hand sanitiser are available.

Once we place your property onto the market, we will follow strict guidance relating to buyers wishing to view:

• Firstly, we will request that you vacate the property whilst a viewing takes place.
• Only buyers in a position to proceed with a purchase will be allowed to view your property, and questions will be asked to qualify their position prior to agreeing the viewing appointment.
• We will ask them for emailed/written confirmation that all viewers are not showing any symptoms before the appointment.
• Viewers will be instructed not to touch any surfaces, door handles, light switches etc.
• There will be no Open House events, back to back or multiple viewings.

In addition, please see the link below to the Government’s advice on the house selling/buying process and guidance on house viewings and valuations.

We strongly urge you read this before we/you attend an appointment:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus- covid-19-outbreak

If you have any questions relating to the above, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.

INFORMATION FOR BUYERS

You’ve spotted a property that looks to be of interest to you, and you are considering contacting us to book an appointment to visit the property, however we respectfully request that you follow the protocol as set out by the government.

Prior to the viewing:

• Please watch the video/virtual tour of the property you wish to view on our website or property portals before booking a viewing to ensure it is a property that you genuinely wish to purchase.
• Only buyers in a position to proceed will be allowed to view, and questions will be asked to qualify your position prior to agreeing the appointment.
• If ANYONE booking a viewing has symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then a physical viewing appointment MUST be postponed.
• We will ask you for emailed/written confirmation that all viewers are not showing any symptoms before the appointment.

At the viewing:

• We will have requested that our vendors have cleaned the property prior to visits and all internal doors are to be left open.
• We request homeowners/occupiers vacate the property whilst a viewing takes place, where reasonably possible.
• We must conduct the appointment under the current ‘safe social distancing’ guidance, i.e. minimum of 2m.
• Viewings will be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes.
• Only ‘relevant/necessary’ members of the household are to be present at the appointment, with a maximum of 2.
• Gloves and face coverings should be worn where we instruct you to do so.
• Please do not touch any surfaces, door handles, light switches etc.
• All parties should wash/sanitise their hands before and after each appointment.
• Property details will be emailed beforehand rather than providing literature/paper details.

In addition, please see the link below to the Government’s advice on the house selling/buying process and guidance on house viewings and valuations.

We strongly urge you read this before we/you attend an appointment:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus- covid-19-outbreak

If you have any questions relating to the above, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.