Shoes off

[JoJoe1986]

Hello, I'm just about to put my property on the market and wondering if its rude to ask potential buyers to kick off their shoes when going upstairs? We have new carpet which I'm keen to keep clean and in theory it could be in their benefit should they put an offer in? Im nervous to ask as it's an awkward request. Would you be offended?

[premiumshoes]

I wouldn't want to take my shoes off in a strangers house. I would leave.

[eternalopt]

I'd think it was a bit weird to be precious about a house you're selling anyway. If I thought about it too much (and I usually do!) might make me think you weren't really that committed to selling.

[MiniMum97]

I think people who refuse to take shoes off in someone else's house are unreasonable! I was asked to take shoes off in plenty of homes when house hunting. Do whatever you are comfortable with.

[AlexaShutUp]

Wouldn't worry me at all, but lots of people are weirdly resistant to taking their shoes off, so you might find it puts some potential buyers off.

[augustusglupe]

I wouldn’t be offended atall OP. We’ve always been shoes off.
I never understand why people want to walk round in shoes inside anyway.

[premiumshoes]

I think people who refuse to take shoes off in someone else's house are unreasonable!

Why? It's ok to not want to do this. Can you not just consider some people are fine with it and some are not without making the people who are different to you unreasonable?

[SingingSands]

I've done it when visiting houses - I automatically take my shoes off when visiting houses, because that how I was brought up.

[ShyTown]

Get the agent to provide those plastic bootie things instead. That way no one has to remove their shoes and your carpet stays pristine.

[isabellerossignol]

@SingingSands

I've done it when visiting houses - I automatically take my shoes off when visiting houses, because that how I was brought up.

Conversely I was brought up being told that taking your shoes off in someone else's house is incredibly bad manners.

I'd do it if someone asked me to, I wouldn't refuse, but I would think it was strange and it would make me reluctant to place an offer on the house as I'd assume you had no real intention to sell and would probably pull out further down the line.

[Chloemol]

I went with a family member to view two houses, at both the EA asked that shoes were removed. Cream carpets! But it was not a problem, even though in my own home i dont expect visitors to removr shoes, for these we were politely asked to do so

No issue

[AlwaysLatte]

I wouldn't dream of keeping my shoes on in someone's house but it's amazing how many people I see not bothering. Definitely tell the estate agent no shoes. If I was a potential buyer I'd be relieved to hear that as I would feel that the place was generally cleaner.

[BonnieMcflurry]

To save the issue why don't you buy shoe covers off eBay for very cheap and provide people with them
Gloves for shoes no need take their shoes off and everything stays clean

[BananaPop2020]

I hate the ‘shoes off’ thing.

[BonnieMcflurry]

Like this

[isabellerossignol]

I wouldn't dream of keeping my shoes on in someone's house but it's amazing how many people I see not bothering.

Well, in my case it's not that I'm 'not bothering' , it's that I'd feel I was being very rude to take my shoes off. I'd feel I was showing respect for your home. In the same way that I wouldn't strip to my underwear and lounge on your sofa.

[isabellerossignol]

Although obviously if you asked me to take them off, I would do it. But I wouldn't do it automatically because I'd consider it incredibly rude.

[Annist]

It's fine to say shoes off or booties.

[happymummy12345]

I hate the whole thing of taking shoes off indoors so I would hate it and wouldn't be happy about it at all.

[Wingedharpy]

@BonnieMcflurry has it.
Overshoes solves the problem.
Better than strangers sweaty feet tramping around the place.
PPE all round.

[Onesailwait]

Absolutely reasonable, where I live everyone automatically takes their shoes off when they go into someone's house.

[Josette77]

Where I live it is very rude to keep your shoes on. I don't understand why people want to drag urine and shit and snot from the street and spread it around someone's home. Especially in a pandemic. That's unhygienic, and dangerous.

[MusGus]

Nearly all the houses we viewed we were asked to remove our shoes. We very happily did. I’m one of those who do not enter my house with shoes on and ask visitor to remove their shoes. Strangely if I’m not asked to remove my shoes I lose a bit more f interest in the house as I immediately think the house isn’t cared for and I’ll have a lot of cleaning (of every inch of the house) and replacing of carpets to do.

Different strokes for different folks. Use the blue shoe coverings for viewers.

[MusGus]

*lose a bit of interest

[FiveShelties]

Provide the blue shoe covers and ask agent to request they are used. I would have no issues removing my shoes, but I can understand people who would not want to do that. Your buyer may just be someone who does not want to wander around in stocking feet. Every shoe home I have ever been to in the UK has had a shoes off policy.

In NZ we have open homes and people always remove their shoes.

[LulworthBlues]

Why not buy some shoe covers? Would that solve the issue?