Coronavirus

Cooper Adams Covid 19 Guidelines and Risk Assessment.

Cooper Adams Covid secure operating plan – Updated December 2021

1: We will operate in accordance with Government guidance at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect our team and our customers and have in place measure to help prevent the spreading of the Covid 19 virus.
2: Our offices will be open, but at times we will restrict numbers entering to ensure social distancing can take place. We may have a locked door policy with public access to our offices by appointment only.
3: We support the guidance that face coverings should be worn when in any enclosed/indoor setting with people who you are not normally with. This is in our offices but also at people's homes.
4: We will have supply of hand sanitizer at appropriate points in offices for use by visitors, our colleagues will hand wash regularly throughout the day.
5: In the office and on appointments we will take all reasonable steps to ensure social distancing is maintained
6: We will not permit any face-to-face meeting to take place in any case where any party has been advised to self-isolate or is awaiting Covid 19 test results.
7: We will ensure our offices are well ventilated at all times and that our team has access to regular hand washing facilities
8: We will recommend virtual appointments ie watching our walk round video on our website as a first option to reduce the level of face-to-face contact
9: We will issue digital information and communication where possible.
10: We will retain your information should this be needed for any NHS test and trace purposes. Office visitors will need to fill in a form.
11: Where viewing/market appraisal appointments are undertaken we will either ourselves or ask sellers to open all internal doors to restrict ‘touching’ of surfaces.
12: For property viewings we will request that the number of people attending the viewing is kept to a minimum.
13: If we come into contact with Covid we will isolate and test immediately.
14: Our whole team has been double vaccinated and will also take any boosters.
15: All shared touch surfaces in our offices are disinfected throughout the day, every day. Including toilets.
16: We reserve the right to amend these procedures at short notice depending on Government advice at the time.

Updated 19/07/21

Many restrictions are being lifted. However, at Cooper Adams our team and clients’ safety is our top priority, so we will still be keeping many precautions in place.

Here are our updated COVID policies:

- Please continue to wear a face mask when meeting us indoors, at our offices or at properties.
- At large properties with ventilation and distancing, we will continue to wear masks unless the client advises otherwise.
- Hand washing and disinfecting common areas will continue in the office and after viewings.
- Property viewings we still prefer a minimum amount of people to allow for distancing.
- Covid symptoms? Please still isolate.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding our COVID policies, and in the meantime, we hope to see you on a viewing very soon

Updated 17/05/21

Helping our customers begin or continue their property transactions is extremely important to us. In April 2021 the Government amended advice on house moves as part of its lockdown easing plans. There is now more flexibility for branch managers to allow unscheduled visitors, however adherence to safety guidance remains paramount, and Cooper Adams is as dedicated as ever to ensuring the wellbeing of all parties.

Visitors can now enter a branch without an appointment as long as there is space to socially distance within the branch’s reception area. They must continue to wear a face-covering when in the branch and maintain all precautions to avoid the transmission of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms or been with people with symptoms or awaiting test results please do not enter our branches or any property we are marketing.

Updated 05/01/2021

England is again under 'Lockdown'

Jan 4th 2021 England lockdown Government rules...

Moving home

You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.

Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.

Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing, letting fresh air in, and wearing a face covering.

At Cooper Adams the safety and well-being of our clients and team is paramount. We will be introducing more checks to remove the risk to our clients and team, this will mean more online and remote meetings. Our offices will remain locked for the safety of all. All our properties since the beginning of Covid have video walkrounds for interested parties. Any meetings we can do over Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook messenger or any other video conferencing service. Face masks and disinfectant are part of our daily routine. We hope this is the last Lockdown as the vaccines are rolled out this year.

Although we are at work, our offices are locked to the public to reduce any risk. We are fully available by telephone, email, online chat, Zoom, Whatsapp video and many other means.

Our Covid viewing protocols.

Coronavirus Health-assessment form

Government rulings from this document

[West Sussex is now Tier 4 - Estate Agents have to conform to Covid precautions - Under Tier 4 this has is no different to Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3]

Hands, Face, Space – Clean hands regularly, face masks with clients, 2m space at all times.

Estate and lettings agents and removal firms can continue to work during the tier 4 restrictions in England.

Following the UK Government announcement, people living in a tier 4 area must not leave or be outside of their home except for where they have a specific purpose or a ‘reasonable excuse'. Moving home and associated activities within the housing sector are deemed as a 'reasonable excuse', therefore, agents can continue to work.

Property viewings are still allowed to take place as long the COVID-19 safety guidance is followed, which includes social distancing and wearing a face covering.

Whilst people are still permitted to move home, those outside an individual bubble should not help with moving property unless absolutely necessary, according to the guidance.

It is vital though that agents continue to strictly follow all safety guidelines for the market to remain open. It is advisable to postpone non-essential inspections or viewings of properties.

Everyone must still adhere to the hygiene measures in the existing Government guidance on moving home and Propertymark's best practice and guidance on house viewings, moves, and maintenance.

What are the hazards to our employees, customers and clients?

We recognise that where Covid-19 is present, it spreads easily from person to person. We know that the risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus and the amount of time you spend in close contact.

There is also potential that the virus remains on surfaces and fabrics, so can be transmitted from shared surface contact.

Who is at risk and how?

Our employees, members, customers and clients may be at risk when in our offices or while in close proximity during property viewings that we are undertaking.

We recognise there is a similar risk to and from our supply chain who support our own activities, are involved with property transactions, or attend properties on our instruction.

We know that any person with even mild symptoms of Covid-19 should remain away from others for at least 7 days and anyone in their household must also self-isolate.

We acknowledge that some people may be asymptomatic and yet still infectious.

What is the risk?

While the number of cases remains high and the R-rate is above the UK government’s target, we consider the risk of Covid-19 spreading to be high were business to be conducted without any additional control measures in place.

We know that Covid-19 spreads easily from person to person and that the resulting symptoms can range from mild to severe. Certain groups of people are recognised as vulnerable where susceptibility is higher.

This risk is expected to reduce gradually, in line with any lowering in the UK’s 5-stage alert level as the number of UK cases drop. It is understood that risk may vary regionally from time to time.

How are we going to control it?

The measures we are taking to manage the risk from Covid-19 are based on the safer working guidelines published by the UK Government. We shall review these measures as guidelines and risk levels change, or should we find that they are no longer effective.

We have procedures to make sure that individuals who are advised to stay at home under existing government guidance do not physically come to work. This includes individuals who have symptoms of Covid-19, as well as those who live in a household with someone who has symptoms. These procedures include steps to notify others that those employees may have been in close contact with, where it is appropriate to do so.

We have developed protocols for our employees on conducting business both in our offices and at residential properties. We have provided training and information to our employees about these protocols, which includes social distancing requirements, good hygiene practices and how to follow them.

Cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures have been introduced and resources provided for all of our employees and workplaces.

We will communicate to all of our customers the steps we will take to ensure their safety during property viewings.

This will be sent to all concerned before viewings

Thank you very much for arranging a property viewing through Cooper Adams.

We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure we conduct ourselves in a sensible and safe manner to protect you during any interactions you have with us. In line with the current guidance on Covid-19 we have put in place essential protocols to ensure the safety of our customers and team members is maintained at all times. We have created these guidelines which we ask you to follow before our visit. They also explain what to expect from our team members during the visit. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us to discuss further.

Before our arrival:

· We will postpone our visit if you, or the applicant(s) feel unwell or have been experiencing Covid-19 symptoms in the last 14 days. If necessary, please inform us via telephone or email.

· A maximum of two people plus ourselves will be present at the visit

· Please ensure all internal doors are open to allow limited contact access to the property During the visit:

· We will remove our shoes on entering the property

· We will be wearing face masks with freshly cleaned hands and will make sure anyone else entering the property conforms

· If you are unable to leave the property, please let us know beforehand so we can make the relevant arrangements

· We will maintain a two-metre distance during the appointment with everyone present

· We ask viewers not to touch any surfaces inside the property or any pets present

· If any surfaces are touched without gloves, we will ensure the surface is wiped with disinfectant

This will be sent to all concerned before home visits

Thank you very much for arranging a meeting with Cooper Adams at your home.

Before our arrival:

· We will postpone our visit if you, or the applicant(s) feel unwell or have been experiencing Covid-19 symptoms in the last 14 days. If necessary, please inform us via telephone or email.

· Please ensure all internal doors are open to allow limited contact access to the property During the visit:

· We will remove our shoes on entering the property

· We will be wearing face masks with freshly cleaned hands and will make sure anyone else entering the property conforms

· We will maintain a two-metre distance during the appointment with everyone present

· If any surfaces are touched without gloves, we will ensure the surface is wiped with disinfectant

Updated 12/11/2020

If contemplating on visiting a Cooper Adams office please contact the office in advance as it may be 'by appointment only'

Most business can be now done via the telephone or online to eradicate a contact meeting therefore reducing Covid risk.

Updated Thursday, November 5th 2020

Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) November 2020 'lockdown'

Estate & Letting agents are exempt from the lockdown as the Government has deemed moving house important. People are moving from one house to another for sale or rent.

The Government have said - Buying, selling and renting a home can continue, in a COVID-secure way, as it has in recent months. Estate and letting agents can operate, show homes and sales suites can remain open and property viewings, mortgage valuations and surveys can take place. Our guidance on moving home must be followed.

Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

From Thursday 24th September

All visitors to Cooper Adams' offices will have to be wearing a facemask as well as keeping to the 2m distance rule. We really prefer to keep visits to a minimum as most business can be conducted over the telephone or by email/online. Thank you for your co-operation during these difficult times.

From Wednesday 13th May

The government has removed restrictions around property visits and estate agency offices opening albeit in a very safe and managed way.

We are observing the strict social distancing, we have our clean - protocol in place, PPE at the ready and we’re eager to help people in BN16 get moving. Please follow the 2m distance rules. (Now 1m+)

Safety is paramount and we will follow the Government’s health and safety guidelines thoroughly and ultimately look after the wellbeing of our clients, our team, and our community. It’s great to be back.

Shaun Adams

COOPER ADAMS – OUR COVID19 HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

1 PEOPLE

We will check on the health of the people working for us. We will have a one-to-one with each member of our team to establish they are ‘healthy’ to return to work and complete a ‘health assessment’ form with each of them.

As part of our morning meeting, we will carry out a daily check-in within our team to ensure no health conditions have changed.

2 OUR PREMISES

We will have prepared our office. We accommodate the two-metre social distancing rule. We will mark out the floor space to allow any customers or visitors to keep to the two-metre rule and we will limit the number of visitors to one party of two at any one time. We intend to keep face-to-face contact to a minimum and where possible, our staff will work side-by-side with a minimum two-metre distance between them, rather than facing each other.

Our offices have had a good deep clean, including the kitchen, staff room, toilet, fridge, microwave etc.

We will have a regular cleaning routine throughout the day and notify all staff to vacate when we start the cleaning process. This will include: desks, chair arms, keyboards, mouse, screens, staplers, pens, photocopier controls, drawer handles, phones, mobile phones, key cabinets, filing cabinets and door handles.

We will also encourage staff to wash their hands with hot water and soap more frequently than before and make sure supplies are stocked up in washrooms, along with clean towels.

Our business owners will lead by example and keep social distancing measures in place all the time. This includes when conducting morning meetings, when preparing refreshments, visits to the lavatories and allocating lunch breaks, all of which will be staggered.

3 VALUATIONS

This goes against the ‘grain’ for us, but we will keep any face-to-face contact to a minimum and respectfully decline any coffees/refreshments you may be kind enough to offer.

We will explain to you the actions our firm are taking to reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus – reassuring you is paramount to us.

When we return to our vehicles after each appointment, we will safely dispose of our gloves. We will also wipe any equipment we have used during the visit.

When we arrive back at the office, we will be sure to wash our hands with soap and hot water before we do anything else. We will introduce signs around the office to ensure there are plenty of reminders.

At the end of each day and after our last appointment we will give our steering wheel, gear lever, handbrake, and all controls a wipe down with disinfectant.

Where we receive an instruction to sell a property, we acknowledge that all other aspects of our legal obligations are still in force.

EPCs can continue to be provided if no COVID-19 issues exist and the assessor operates in accordance with Public Health England guidance.

4 VIEWINGS

Some of our homesellers are requesting no viewings at the moment which is totally understandable.
With all owners’ permissions abiding to all full safety guidelines - we are gradually adding walk around virtual viewings – these videos need to be watched prior to booking any viewing.
If viewers are permitted – a max of two people together and no children
We will always carry out the health-check on all viewers intending to visit the property. No one is permitted to do any appointments or meetings if any party is showing symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate before going ahead with any viewing, or visits to offices.
If your property is being viewed, you should open all the internal doors prior to the viewing, and allow access to handwashing facilities and ideally separate towels/paper towels.
As most people choose to do, we request that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place in order to minimise your contact with those not in your household.
When viewing a property, all parties should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces where possible. Agents will ask you to restrict the number of people who accompany you on a viewing so that 2m social distancing can be practised, and only those in your immediate household should be there.
Agents would have with them a face mask, gloves and disinfectant.
We will accompany clients on a viewing but follow social distancing rules wherever possible. Where viewings are unaccompanied, agents should make sure viewers and homeowners understand how they should conduct themselves.
Once the viewing has taken place, the homeowner should ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned with standard household cleaning products and towels disposed of safely or washed as appropriate.

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

gov.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus

What are the hazards to our employees, customers and clients?

Who is at risk and how?

What is the risk?

How are we going to control it?

Not ready to let or sell yet?