Best Practice Policy – Coronavirus

Horton and Garton has adopted new business procedures to comply with Government and industry guidance. 

Staff, Office and Travel

We will ensure:

• All staff will abide by 2metre social distancing rules when working (in and outside the office).
• Any health concerns or symptoms to be reported to your Line Manager immediately.
• We all understand our individual and collective responsibilities in terms of cleanliness, health, and hygiene. This includes the use of sanitising or anti-bacterial wipes to clean desks, keyboards, all work equipment, and other surfaces regularly.
• That sanitising gel and wipes are available on all staff desks to promote regular use of, along with hand washing.
• Staff do not share any equipment including phones and clean them with anti-bacterial surface wipes regularly.
• That the cleaning of all workstations within 2m will be the individual responsibility of each staff member.
• There will be a working rota for cleaning and wiping down all communal areas (AM & PM)
• That diaries and personal stationary will be required to be put in plastic bags in your own locker at the end of every day.
• There will be no communal cutlery and cups. All staff members are welcome to bring their own set, but these will need to be washed/dried up and put back into personal lockers straight away after use.
• Coats and clothing are to be kept in suit bags / plastic wrapping in the coat cupboard
• All toilet bins will have lids on with foot peddle opening. The contents of all bins will be emptied daily as part of the cleaning rota.

This list is not exhaustive and is open to suggestions.

Viewings

Now that viewing restrictions have been lifted and we are officially open for business – we must ensure viewings are conducted safely and responsibly for the benefit of staff members, clients and customers.

In line with the government guidance, below is our best practice guide for appointments:

-Prior to the confirming the appointment the Agent will ask whether any viewing party is showing symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate before proceeding with any viewing.

-To book a physical viewing – the viewer has got to meet the following criteria:

• Has seen the brochure / virtual tour
• Has filled in the buyer / tenant registration form
• Has been qualified to be willing, able and motivated / able to proceed
• Verbal confirmation that they have been made aware of our Covid-19 Best Practice Policy and will adhere to this on a viewing.
• Until further notice, we will not travel together or accompany any clients on the journey to appointments. Viewers will meet the Agent directly at the property at an agreed specific date and time.
• No more than one family household per viewing.
• Upon arrival at the property before entering the Agent will ensure that viewers clearly understand how the viewing will be conducted safely and reminded of the time frame permitted for the appointment.
• All parties viewing a property should wash their hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser if unavailable – HG will provide hand sanitiser. The Agent will advise the viewer not to touch any surface whilst in the property.
• Social distancing rules will be applied 2m apart wherever possible and if the visit is within an enclosed space, all parties should consider wearing a face covering in line with government guidance.
• The Agents will ensure that any keys are appropriately cleaned before and after the viewing.