Staying safe during house viewings
Find out the latest Scottish Government guidance on property viewings and how to stay safe during a viewing.
LAST UPDATED: 16th December 2021
House moves and related activities, such as property viewings, are permitted under current 'beyond Level 0' COVID-19 restrictions.
However, the process of buying or selling a home is different compared to before COVID-19. This includes doing more of the process online, with a strong emphasis on viewing properties virtually initially if possible, and only progressing to a physical viewing if necessary and you have a serious interest in making an offer.
Open house viewings are now permitted in Scotland. Open viewings may have limits placed on the number of attendees at any one time, the selling agent will advise buyers and sellers on the recommended protocols in place.
Despite open viewings being permitted, the Scottish Government advises restricting viewings to appointment-only, and seriously considering if an open viewing is necessary. Open viewings may have limits placed on the number of attendees at any one time, the selling agent will advise buyers and sellers on the recommended protocols in place to reduce the risks of spreading Covid-19.
Current Government guidance advises against any more than three households meeting indoors at any one time, so you may want to consider who needs to be present at a property viewing.
Prior to attending any property viewing, attendees are advised to take a lateral flow test.
You must also ensure that you continue to follow government advice on physical distancing, ventilation of indoor spaces, hand washing and respiratory hygiene. Read the latest government guidance on house moves to find out more.
The Scottish Government has also strongly recommended that you wear a face covering when in contact with other people from outside your household involved in activities related to buying or selling your home.
If you or anyone in your household displays symptoms of COVID-19, you should not invite any businesses or people to your property for viewings. You will need to test and self-isolate for the correct amount of time – find out more about government guidance for self-isolating.
Clinically vulnerable and shielded individuals will need to carefully consider their personal situation and the circumstances of their own move and may wish to seek medical advice before deciding whether to commit to or go ahead with a move.
The health and wellbeing of the general public is of the utmost importance, and it is key that all parties stay safe during a property viewing, so please read the advice below on how to view a property safely.
Advice for property buyers
View a property virtually first
The Scottish Government has advised that virtual viewings should be conducted before visiting properties in person where possible, in order to minimise public health risks. Physical viewings should only be conducted if necessary and where buyers are seriously considering making an offer on or renting a property.
If a virtual viewing is not available, we advise you that you make use of the photographs, schedule and Home Report to decide whether you would like to proceed with a physical viewing.
Arranging a property viewing
Open house viewings are now permitted in Scotland, however the Scottish Government continues to strongly emphasise a virtual-first approach, meaning that properties should be viewed virtually initially if possible. You should only progress to a physical viewing if necessary and you are seriously interested in the property. Open viewings may have limits placed on the number of attendees at any one time, the selling agent will advise buyers and sellers on the recommended protocols in place.
Current Government guidance advises against any more than three households meeting indoors at any one time, so you may want to consider who needs to be present at a property viewing.
Prior to attending any property viewing, attendees are advised to take a lateral flow test.
The agent will need to check that neither you, nor anyone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, neither you nor anyone else in your household will be able to attend a property viewing until you have tested negative and isolated for the correct amount of time.
You will have to cancel a viewing if you or anyone in your household displays symptoms during the period of time between booking and attending the viewing.
Who should attend the property viewing?
Government guidance indicates that you should restrict the number of people who accompany you on a viewing so that physical distancing can be practised.
Only those in your immediate household and/or your agent should accompany you. If you need to be accompanied by young children, you should try to keep them from touching surfaces and ensure they wash their hands regularly.
Getting to the property viewing
We advise you to drive, walk or cycle to the property viewing if at all possible. If this isn’t possible and you have to take public transport, try to arrange your viewing at a time when public transport is quieter. You should also follow government guidance on using public transport including wearing a face covering.
The property viewing
Prior to attending any property viewing, attendees are advised to take a lateral flow test.
The Scottish Government also advises that when viewing a property, all parties should wash their hands or bring their own hand sanitiser and avoid touching surfaces where possible. Access to hand washing facilities should be provided, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely.
During the viewing, make sure to maintain appropriate physical distance between you and the seller or agent at all times. The Scottish Government also advises that all parties should consider using a face covering.
Advice for property sellers
Offer virtual property viewings if possible
If you are selling a property, we advise that you speak to your agent about offering virtual viewings to buyers in the first instance. The Scottish Government advises that properties should be viewed virtually if possible before a physical viewing is arranged.
Your agent may be able to put together a video or virtual tour as part of your property marketing package. If not, you could also offer live virtual viewings over Facetime, Zoom or Skype.
Arranging a property viewing
Open house viewings are now permitted in Scotland, however the Scottish Government continues to strongly emphasise a virtual-first approach, meaning that properties should be viewed virtually initially if possible. You should only progress to a physical viewing if necessary and you are seriously interested in the property. Open viewings may have limits placed on the number of attendees at any one time, the selling agent will advise sellers on the recommended protocols in place.
If at any point, you or anyone in your household develops symptoms of COVID-19, you will need to test and self-isolate. You should notify your agent straight away and not arrange any property viewings during this period. You will also need to cancel or rearrange any viewings already booked.
The property viewing
Before the viewing, you should clean your property thoroughly, cleaning all surfaces with standard household cleaning products. You should also open all doors in advance of a property viewing to avoid viewers touching door handles. The Scottish Government also advises that under current restrictions, indoor spaces should be well-ventilated, so you should also open windows to ensure plenty of fresh air is circulating.
During the viewing, maintain an appropriate physical distance between you and the buyers at all times. If the agent is facilitating the viewing, you and the rest of your household should exit the property while the viewing is taking place if possible. If you are conducting the viewing, you should ask the rest of your household to wait outside the property if possible.
If you are conducting the viewing, your agent will speak to you in advance to advise you about the process. You should provide viewers with access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely. The Scottish Government also advises that all parties should use face coverings where possible.
After the viewing, clean the property thoroughly with standard household cleaning products. Your agent will then advise you on next steps if the viewer chooses to make an offer.
Find out more
If you are interested in buying or selling a property in the current circumstances, read our COVID-19 page with advice for buyers and sellers or contact an ESPC agent. Find out more about moving home during COVID-19 at our free webinar.
