Covid-19 Update

As the UK Government and devolved administrations prepare for a general easing of COVID restrictions, we have reviewed our own safety and wellbeing measures.

We are very conscious that while a level of risk persists, not everyone will be comfortable with the total removal of safety protocols. While the legal requirements for social distancing have been removed, we will continue to exercise a degree of caution until further notice, asking our customers and surveyors to take a few extra safety precautions during physical property inspections.

Conditions for inspection

An inspection will only proceed if none of the property’s occupants are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. This approach applies to all inspection types - valuations and surveys. Unfortunately, if anyone in the household is self-isolating, showing symptoms of Covid-19 or has been diagnosed with Covid-19 our Surveyor will not be able to carry out the survey and it will need to be rebooked for a later date.

If the Surveyor shows potential Covid-19 symptoms before the inspection we will cancel the appointment. Every effort will be made to reschedule the inspection by the next available Surveyor at the same time or at the nearest available slot. In this case the process may be delayed.

Dynamic Risk Assessment

On arrival at the property, our surveyor will carry out a Dynamic Risk Assessment and may ask you some questions to determine the safety and wellbeing of everyone at the property. If the surveyor identifies an unacceptable level of risk (e.g., a lack of social distancing), the inspection will be abandoned and rebooked for another date.

What to expect before and during your survey or valuation inspection:

• Following the guidance set out by the UK Government and the RICS, we’ll be asking you and our surveyors to take a few extra precautions when we visit your property.
• Please maintain social distancing measures and refrain from any physical contact. 
• Our Surveyors will not shake hands and will be wearing appropriate PPE.
• We respectfully ask all occupants to wear a face covering for the duration of the inspection to ensure the safety of both the surveyor and the property occupants. 
• Before the surveyor arrives, please open all internal doors, any garages, or outbuildings. 
• Windows should be opened to provide sufficient ventilation and to avoid contact. 
• Where possible the loft hatch should be open.
• All lights should be on to reduce the need for contact with light switches. 
• Please keep any pets you have with you or isolated away from the Surveyor for the duration of the property inspection.
• The surveyor is likely to be in the property for around 30 minutes but may be with you for longer depending on the property attributes. 
• Please don’t be offended but unfortunately, our surveyors cannot accept drinks during the inspection.
• The surveyor will not close the doors or switch off the lights but will let you know when the inspection is over, so you can get on with your day.