Door handles should be wiped down after house viewings and homeowners should wait outside to make visits Covid-safe.
They are just some of the measures recommended by the government to reduce the transmission of coronavirus after estate agents were permitted to reopen for bookings on Wednesday.
Viewings, whether virtual or in person are now allowed, show homes can reopen, and all essential parts of the sales and letting process can begin with immediate effect.
The guidelines on how to keep safe were announced by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick at the daily Downing Street press conference.
He told the press conference: "The changes that I announced today are happening safely in order to control the virus and to protect the public.
"We've published very detailed guidance, informed by public health advice to explain how this can be achieved, with all parties observing hygiene measures and social distancing guidelines."
The coronavirus guidance for viewings is as followed:
- Visits should be carried out by appointment only - open house viewings should not be taking place. Speculative viewings are 'highly discouraged'.
- All parties should carry out social distancing, by standing two metres apart
- All internal doors should be opened where possible
- The current occupier should vacate the property for the duration of the visit - by going out for their daily exercise, going out to the shop or standing in the garden if that's possible
- All involved in the process should wash their hands upon entering the property and once the viewing has taken place, all the surfaces in the property including the door handles should be thoroughly cleaned
Mr Jenrick urged anyone who is self-isolating, or who has tested positive for coronavirus, to postpone moving or visiting another home.
He also urged people who are clinically vulnerable or shielding to 'consider very carefully' their personal situation, and to seek medical advice before deciding to commit to moving.
Anybody in that situation should make everyone aware so they can put in place 'additional precautionary measures' to provide further protection for people's health and to provide further 'legal protection' to make sure the transaction 'goes smoothly', he said.
The Communities Secretary also addressed criticism that the government had faced following the announcement that the property market was reopening.
"For most people, moving home is not a luxury. People decide to move home because their personal circumstances change. People have asked, why would they be able to look around a stranger's home but not visit their parents or loved ones at home?", he said.
"I understand why this must seem confusing at first glance, especially when people have been separated from their loved ones for so long. But our guidelines make clear that in the first instance, viewings should happen virtually. When viewings do happen in person, we've set out a clear plan to ensure the safety of everybody involved in the property itself" he added.
