To think house viewings are a really bad idea at the moment?

[humidifierx]

Having an amount of strangers coming in to your home, touching door handles etc is probably not a great idea at the moment is it?

If proper hygiene and social distancing is followed it’s not really a problem.

I've been looking for a rental and a lot of people round here only do viewings if you wear a mask, the property is empty and the estate agent waits outside

@UnaMujer

If proper hygiene and social distancing is followed it’s not really a problem.

Assuming that's kept to though

What is the alternative?

When we looked around we had to wear masks and gloves. People need to move.

When we did a viewing we had to wear a mask and not touch anything (handrail on stairs was an exception if needed). If we wanted to look inside a cupboard or touch anything else, the estate agent (who was wearing gloves) did it.

I feel it's one of the least of our worries. Most people go out when there are viewings going on so less risk of direct contact. Added to the fact, if you're selling your house you need to be on top of hygiene anyway.

The precautions you need to take are totally feasible and certainly no more difficult than what's required in shops or on public transport, or offices.

What's the issue in your view?

People going on house viewings really isn't something we need to worry about

I be amazed if you could find one case worldwide arising from a house viewing, that's not where spread is happening.

I read that scientists are now saying not to worry about surface transmission, no one needs to quarantine their post or wash their shopping.

I don't know if this is widely known but every August thousands of junior doctors have to move to take up new training posts. They don't have much of a choice about that. Loads of them will have had to view houses as part of this. But this year lots of them also couldn't view houses because of travel restrictions, so they have had to find short-term rents in new areas. They will now be looking to buy or to secure longer term rents. I don't see what the alternative is. This is just one example of people who have had no choice but to move during the pandemic.

I’ve been to heaps of viewings the last few months been all handled fairly well - agent waits outside - hand sanitiser on entry and exit - masks

What are people meant to do just stop trying to buy a house/ find somewhere to live?

You can wipe all the door handles and surfaces down when you come back to your house After the viewings surely

@humidifierx

Having an amount of strangers coming in to your home, touching door handles etc is probably not a great idea at the moment is it?

But I wouldn't buy or rent without viewing in person anyway, the virtual tours don't cut it for me.

So if people want to sell, they'll have to find ways of minimising risk.

As a viewer, I'd keep touching to a minimum, wear masks, sanitise hands, etc. But things like fitted cupboards, I'd want to check the condition on the inside, and things like that, well yes I'd touch.

Another one saying I don't know what other options there are. Lots of people have already put off house moves since March, and are staying in unsuitable accommodation or are separated from family or struggling to take up jobs.

You could say that about loads of things but people have to live their lives.

Seems to me that lots of people think that things that don't affect them should be banned. People who don't go to pubs think the pubs should be shut. People with a stay at home parent don't see why schools shouldn't re-open. People, with cars think that people should only go to the supermarket once a week.

It’s somethings that can easily be done safely using gloves, masks and the correct spray afterwards.

Ridiculous comment- I trust 2 strangers in my house, who I know are coming and who I can plan for and clean up after. Unlike shopping, going to work etc. Get a grip already, or live under a rock scared to do anything’

I've been to several house viewings recently and all appropriate restrictions have been adhered to. All parties wearing masks, gloves and maintaining appropriate distance when being shown around and a limit on the amount of people who can go has meant that this can still take place. I view this as safer than going to a supermarket at the minute.

We looked around a flat, the agent asked if I wanted him to wear a mask, and looks shocked when I said yes please, and said oh most people say no. I also wore a mask.

It was a ground floor flat with the patio door open, I was expecting the agent to wait out there but he followed me around chatting as I went into every small room.

Well, clearly a lot of people don't have your concerns about it OP as where I live houses are selling like hot cakes.

I was speaking to someone I know who is an estate agent in a different area (just north of London) and apparently they are as busy as they've every been, both buying and letting.

What do you propose as a genuinely workable alternative OP? Or Re you another if the flipping hundreds of posters who come on here with an inflammatory OP and then don't resurface?.

It honestly wouldn't even cross my mind to worry about this.

Masks, and if you're that bothered hot soapy water to wash the banister and door handles after they've gone.

For those viewing, mask and sanitise hands going in and coming out and wash hands when you're able to.
Soap and water and not touching your face is perfectly sufficient.

So you would prefer the housing market to stagnate then?

I’m sure you could ask people wear masks. And just leave all internal doors open and ask they don’t touch anything.

We are recently sold our house and viewed a few to buy. In all of them everyone wore masks and the agent waited outside the front door.

@humidifierx

Having an amount of strangers coming in to your home, touching door handles etc is probably not a great idea at the moment is it?

There are risk assessments in place.

Measures include face coverings, leaving doors wedged open so no one needs to touch the handle, then sanitising afterwards.

If people are literally just walking through, what is the problem?