Joint Sector Protocol For Property Services Providers
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2021
THE PURCHASE OR SALE, BY WHATEVER MEANS, OF LAND (E.g purchase/sale of residential property) This protocol is intended to ensure that the strictest of precautions are taken in the best interest of clients, consumers, employees and employers, to provide the highest standards of safety in the sales, lettings, valuations and management of property.
CONDUCTING VIEWINGS / INSPECTIONS FOR SECONDHAND RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS
Arranging an Inspection
Agree an inspection or valuation appointment time with the prospective client.
Confirm whether prospective client is cocooning or in an at risk category and if so, identify any additional precautionary measures that may be required.
Confirm whether prospective client has returned from travel abroad or has had symptoms of COVID-19 over the last 14 days. If so the PSP should not commence to provide the property service for a minimum of at least 14 days.
Agree whether the property will be vacant at time of inspection/valuation.
Where the property is occupied, social distancing must be adhered to.
On entry and exit from the property, hands must be sanitised.
What to Prepare Prior to Arranging Viewings Property owners/occupiers
Confirm whether prospective client is cocooning or in an at risk category, and if so, identify any additional precautionary measures that may be required.
Confirm whether prospective client has returned from travel abroad or has had symptoms of COVID-19 over the last 14 days. If so the PSP should not commence to provide the property service for a minimum of at least 14 days.
Advise property owners/occupiers of the HSE guidelines and this protocol and request any particular in-house requirements they may have in advance.
Agree with the owners/occupiers that they will not be in the property at the time of viewing.
To mitigate against unnecessary physical interactions with clients/occupiers, ask to have access keys/fobs for the property placed in a secure location for collection.
Agree with owners/occupiers and note all touch points in the dwelling for the PSP to sanitise after viewing (e.g. door handles, light switches etc.)
Ask property owner(s)
To secure in the open position all doors to avoid viewers touching handles;
to open some windows to ventilate the property;
to turn on lights;
To open all storage units. It is recommended that these remain in an open position to avoid contact with viewers;
Agree with owner/occupier the use of official Covid-19 signage at locations throughout the property to act as a useful reminder to viewers to follow the HSE rules;
Ensure hand sanitising facility at the entry point of the property.
Viewers
Pre-booked private appointment viewings only.
Name and phone contact details of viewing party recorded in advance of viewing.
Maximum 2 people per party and no young children (under 16).
Time restricted appointments (15-minutes recommended) with sufficient time allowed between appointments to avoid any potential cross over of viewers.
Links to brochure and site plans sent by email to viewers ahead of viewing. HSE Covid-19 official instructions to be included in all correspondence.
Contact viewer(s) in advance to confirm booking and set out controls in place and that HSE Covid-19 official instructions must be adhered to during viewings.
Viewers should also be advised:
not to park close to residents’ cars or driveways by mounting the kerbs or close to an area where children are playing.
that they must not attend if displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, are self-isolating or have returned from overseas in the last 14 days.
that they should remain a reasonable distance from the property (e.g. remain in car) until given permission by PSP to enter.
During Viewings
PSP’s should ask viewers to remain a reasonable distance from the property (e.g. remain in car) until given permission by PSP to enter.
Greet viewing party outside the property, at 2 metre spacing markers
No shaking hands or personal contact.
Viewing party is given access to the property and instructed to use hand sanitiser upon entry.
Remind viewers that toilets are not for public use.
For vacant property, particularly smaller units, agents may decide to wait at the entrance to allow viewers to walk around.
For occupied units, agents may decide to remain in the property whilst observing physical distancing (2 metre rule).
Reconvene with viewing party outside the property to answer questions, at 2 metre spacing markers.
Viewing party to be diverted to phone\video meeting if they have extensive questions.
As agreed with property owner/occupier the PSP will sanitise listed and agreed contact points.
Closing of Sale
In the event of a customer purchasing a property at auction, contract signing must be completed with social distancing taking place.
Payment should be by inter bank transfer.
CONDUCTING VIEWINGS / INSPECTIONS FOR NEW HOMES SHOWHOUSES
Preparation for Showhouse
HSE Covid-19 official images and signage erected prominently inside and outside the show unit and in common areas of apartments.
2 metre yellow ground marking to highlight required social distance spacing outside unit or in common area.
Hand sanitising facility available at the entry point of each show unit with signage requesting visitors to use before entry.
List of contact points prepared for each unit, itemising each point that requires sanitation between viewings. (Door handles, handrails, bannisters).
Cleaning record sheet to be prominently displayed in each show unit.
Consideration of removal of doors to small rooms such as utility, storage spaces or alternatively remove and cap all door handles internally where possible to minimise contact points.
Doors to general rooms to be secured in the open position at all times.
Property windows to be open to ventilate the show unit (all weather).
No bathroom facilities provided.
Prior to Viewing
Pre-booked private appointment viewings only.
Name and phone contact details of viewing party recorded in advance of viewing.
Maximum 2 people per party and no young children (under 16).
Time restricted appointments (15-minutes recommended) with sufficient time allowed between appointments to avoid any potential cross over of viewers.
Links to brochure and site plans sent by email to viewers ahead of viewing. HSE Covid-19 official instructions to be included in all correspondence.
Contact viewer(s) in advance to confirm booking and set out controls in place and that HSE Covid-19 official instructions must be adhered to during viewings.
Viewers should also be advised:
not to park close to residents’ cars or driveways by mounting the kerbs or close to an area where children are playing.
that they must not attend if displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, are self-isolating or have returned from overseas in the last 14 days.
that they should remain a reasonable distance from the property (e.g. remain in car) until given permission by PSP to enter.
During the Viewing
Greet viewing party outside the property, at 2 metre spacing markers.
No shaking hands or personal contact.
Viewing party are given access to the property, instructed to use hand sanitiser upon entry and allowed to walk through unaccompanied.
Reconvene with viewing party outside the property to answer questions, at 2 metre spacing markers.
Viewing party to be diverted to phone\video meeting if they have extensive questions.
Post Viewing
Property owner to facilitate a sanitisation cleaning once per week of property. Record of date and time of same to be displayed in each unit.
PSP to sanitise listed and agreed contact points after each viewing.
PSP to record time and date on the cleaning record sheet.
