Brittain Hadley – COVID-19 Protocol
30th March 2020
The Government have made it clear that with the exception of some non-essential shops and public venues, they are not asking any other businesses to close – indeed they have made it clear it is important for business to carry on. In addition, they have stated that work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that
the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms. Again, it will be important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a 2 metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety. They have also recently
provided advice on moving house during the COVID-19 outbreak. The advice is to postpone sales where possible and therefore we do not envisage undertaking surveys at this stage. However, if the sale is to proceed, we can undertake the survey providing the following guidelines are employed.
Respecting Your Health and the Health of Others
Much of our work involves surveying and inspecting residential homes. As a result we encounter home owners, their family and friends and other members of the public on a daily basis. We would like to reassure you of our process around COVID-19 as we are
committed to the health and safety of all those we come into contact with.
What precautions have we implemented?
In the current environment, and until further notice, we will endeavour to hold all our meetings online. Where site meetings
or surveys are a necessity, we will maintain the 2m rule and all our surveyors carry hand sanitisers*, hand wipes, gloves and face masks and hand washing will be used upon entry to your home and at regular intervals during the inspection. In order to complete our surveys thoroughly, inevitably surfaces must be handled. Where practical we will be wearing gloves. In all other circumstances all surfaces that have been touched will be wiped down after testing, for example, window and door furniture, taps,flush handles, etc.
Travel to and from the survey will be via private transport only.
We currently have a ‘no hand shake’ policy. In the event that a member of our team has symptoms of Covid-19 as described in the latest advice provided by Public Health England guidelines, they will self-isolate. In the event that an appointment has been made to inspect a home and prior to the inspection the surveyor displays potential Covid-19 symptoms another surveyor from our team will attend. Should no other surveyor be available at short notice. we will cancel the appointment and re-arrange for our next
availability. In such circumstances, a delay in the usual turnaround of reports within 7-10 days is likely to arise.
Our requests
Prior to our inspection, we may request a response to one or more of the following questions put to occupants of the homes we are instructed to inspect, regardless of whether the person will be present during the inspection:
Question 1
Within the last 14 days, has any occupant of the property been abroad and if so, where?
Question 2
Within the last 14 days, has any occupant of the property been in direct contact with anyone who has either been confirmed as carrying the virus or been placed under isolation following advice from a member of NHS staff?
Question 3
Has any occupant of the property recently been in self-isolation or currently is in self-isolation due to suspected symptoms of Covid-19?
Finally
We would like to cause as little inconvenience as possible to occupants of the properties we inspect. If possible and practical
and in order to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus, so protecting both the occupants and the surveyor as well as the wider public, we would request that either:
• no one is present during the inspection, but remains contactable through their agent in case there are questions we need to like to ask about the property.
or
• where possible the occupant stays in a room separate from the surveyor for the duration of the inspection, and at other times a distance of at least two metres maintained.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office. We don’t need to be guided by fear, but we do need to follow
government guidelines for all our best interests.
We will continue to monitor the advice on this topic and adapt as necessary.
Stay positive, support one another and stay healthy and well.