START & CO – COVID 19 working policy

Our offices are now open, with limited opening hours. Our main priority, whilst conducting our business, is the safety of our staff and customers. In order to promote safe working practices, all of our business will be conducted strictly according to the following procedures:

OFFICE VISITS

 The office is technically open but we are not accepting visitors to the office without a prior appointment and our doors are locked. If you need to visit, please call us so we can establish whether the visit is absolutely necessary or whether there is a hands-off solution, so an appointment can be made, if appropriate. All visitors will need to confirm that they are not unwell and have not had any symptoms and follow strict social distancing guidelines within our office environment.

 VIEWINGS

• All out of office contact including viewings and appraisals will be on a case by case basis.
• We require the consent of all parties and health status confirmation from all participants in order to arrange a visit. Parties may be asked on more than one occasion to confirm that they are not showing any symptoms and are not feeling unwell.
• We cannot guarantee access to all properties, as some properties/vendors will be off limits by choice, or for reasons of self-isolation.
• All appointments will be by prior arrangement only and there will be no open house viewings.  
• Viewings will be conducted in a hands-off manner, with the timeframe limited to short viewings only.
• We will encourage virtual viewings as much as possible in the first instance.
• Viewing numbers will be limited to 2 people, and only if they are confirmed to be from the SAME HOUSEHOLD.
• No children are permitted to accompany viewings at this time.
• Viewers and customers are responsible for their own PPE (personal protection equipment) if they require it, all of our staff will carry their own PPE and equipment.
• All surfaces and door handles will be sanitized by our staff following a viewing.
• We cannot drive clients to and from viewings at this time.
• All parties are encouraged to wash their hands prior to, and immediately after any viewings.
• Vendors and agents will remain outside of the property wherever possible.
• Internal doors will be opened as much as is practically possible prior to viewings.
• Social distancing will be mandatory. STAY 2M AWAY FROM OUR STAFF AND CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES
• Any questions and negotiations will be handled either outside of the property, or on the telephone thereafter.
• Viewers will be vetted, only serious progressive viewings will be permitted.
• We will not conduct back to back viewings, to avoid gatherings.

VALUATION APPRAISALS

Valuation appraisals are now also available on a limited basis. Where possible, we will attend your property, ask you to open doors and stay outside so we can conduct a brief inspection (wearing PPE as appropriate and not touching surfaces). Following the inspection, we will leave site and call you that day on the telephone to discuss the property in more detail.

GENERAL

Please bear in mind that we only have limited time slots for viewings and appraisals each day. Accordingly, it may take longer to get an appointment, please bear with us. 

We are operating a strict SAFETY FIRST policy. If there are any concerns or issues, our staff are instructed to refuse or abort face to face meetings if customers do not comply, for their own safety and the safety of others. Please do not be offended if we are unable to accommodate your request at this time, but this is primarily for your, and our, safety and wellbeing.