Safety advice Back

The vast majority of people looking at homes are genuine but there are still certain safety precautions to keep in mind.

These are some safety measures we recommend when showing your home:

When showing your property to a viewer you need to ensure your own safety. Here are some things to think about:

Schedule the visit

• Do not open your door to just any stranger
• If someone turns up without an appointment ask them politely to contact you through House Exchange so that you can verify their details
• Do not feel pressured into allowing them to look around your home especially if you are by yourself

Do not show your home alone

• Try to make sure someone is with you during the viewing
• Ask your spouse, friends or family to be there with you
• Also, be careful when there are people who come to your house at unreasonable times (early morning or very late at night). Ask them to make an appointment at a regular time

Keep records of your visitors

• Make sure you check their name, address and phone number against the information you have
• Do not give out unnecessary personal details 
• Check whether there will be anyone with the person who is viewing your property, and if so, who it is?  
• Let a friend or neighbour know that a viewer is coming to see your home
• Give that person the name, address and telephone number of the person viewing your property as well as the time of viewing

These are some safety measures we recommend when viewing a home:

This is not an exhaustive list but gives you an idea of the kind of things you can do to make sure you are safe. Please do exercise caution and be aware that you are responsible for your own personal safety.

Plan your journey

• Always plan your journey in advance and check bus and train times. If practical, order a taxi to come to the property you are viewing at a set time, or arrange for someone to collect you at a pre-arranged time
• View the property in daylight and at a reasonable time. Don’t go early in the morning or late at night
• Where you are going:
  - address and telephone number
  - The time of the viewing
  - The name of the person you are meeting

Don’t go alone

• Take someone along with you
  - If you can't take a friend, leave the following details with a friend or in an obvious place in your own home or call your own answer machine with the details
• Ask the person you are meeting if there will be someone else there when you view the property. Don't be ashamed to say that you are aware of your own personal safety and need to know as many details as possible so that you can inform a friend of your whereabouts

Other safety precautions to consider

• Don't accept a lift before or after viewing a property - no matter how tempting the offer
• Carry a personal alarm on you
• Bring your mobile phone and keep it switched on and in a safe place, out of view. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one
• Use the mobile phone to keep people updated. Phone a friend/relative to say "Hi, just to let you know I've arrived at .. and Mr (or Mrs).. is showing me around. I'll meet you in 20 minutes, but give me a ring if I'm running late."
• Trust your instincts. If you have a funny feeling about something, leave straight away
  - Be prepared with an excuse to leave before attending the viewing (feeling sick/room sizes not big enough/too large for your needs)
• Be polite about the property you are viewing

 Further information can be found on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website