COVID-19 Update

Phased Return and Putting Safety First

Cosey Homes Chartered surveyors are now preparing to restart some operations from 26th May 2020. Over the coming days, we will be putting provisions in place to ensure our activities can continue safely. We will continue to comply with all government and RICS guidelines (more information can be found at the end of this article)

From the 26^th May, we will be introducing a range of new measures as part of our safe phase back to work strategy. These measures will include the following

• When visiting the property, our surveyors will be equipped with PPE including masks and visors
• We have introduced new obligatory procedures including washing/sanitising of hands and sanitising equipment and devices
• Procedures to reduce the requirement to touch surfaces in a property they visit
• An additional risk assessment of the property which includes a verbal consultation with vendor prior to visit to ensure the safety of the vendor and surveyor, and to ascertain whether the visit will put anyone at significant risk. In any such case, we will not carry out the instruction.
• Explaining to vendors what will happen on the day, so each person present is compliant, maximising the effectiveness of safety procedures

We ask that all parties are forthcoming with any concerns, either by telling the advisor in head office or the surveyor on the day. This is to ensure everybody is comfortable. Surveyors have been briefed on the same basis and so no one will be offended by requests which are made because of a genuine concern for somebody’s safety.

Sometimes surveyors may need to visit estate agents to collect keys. We have found that estate agents are taking similar precautions. In most cases, keys are being sanitised and placed in an envelope ready for the surveyors to collect, and left at a distance, as to avoid any contact and observe social distancing.

As ever, the number one priority in these times is to keep everybody safe, which is why we are introducing these new procedures. We sincerely hope that the government guidelines prove effective and this disease is kept at bay pending treatments and a vaccine.

The company is currently collating all new procedures and measures into a ‘COVID Secure’ risk assessment document which will inform protections against the risk of infection in all our operations as we move to this stage of the outbreak.

For more information, official guidance to surveyors can be found on the following links.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes