When selling your property

• If you are selling a property through an estate agent, confirm with them that they do check all potential viewers’ identities. Make it clear to them that you do not want anyone viewing your property whose identity has not been checked.
• If you live alone, or are alone in the property for most of the day, consider NOT having a for sale sign outside. You will then avoid ‘buyers’ turning up on your doorstep asking to be shown round.
• Ask your estate agent for all viewers to be accompanied by someone from their office.
• If you are selling the property yourself, get as much information as possible from the potential buyer before arranging a viewing and make sure you give that information to a friend or relative before the viewing.
• Always carry out an identity check. Ask for a work number and call it to confirm they are who they say they are.
• Always check who will be coming to the viewing. If they say it will just be one person and more people turn up, do not let them into the property. Make an excuse – one which implies there are other people in the house.
• If they arrange to come another time, make sure that someone is with you for the viewing. Whenever possible try to avoid being alone in the property when conducting viewings. If you’re single or your partner is unable to attend, ask a friend or family member to be with you.
• If you do have to carry out a viewing alone, then ‘check the viewer in’. You can do this simply by making a call to a friend or relative as soon as they arrive saying – “Mr X has just arrived for the viewing. We should be finished in X time and I’ll call you back then.’ The viewer then knows they have been ‘registered’ as having arrived and that someone is watching out for you.
• You can also arrange a code word with your friend/relative so that if a viewer makes you feel uneasy for any reason, you can make an excuse to call them and say something simple that includes the code word. This will warn your friend that you feel unsafe but the viewer will have no idea you have done this. If your friend/relative hears the code word, they should either make their way round – or send someone – to your property as soon as possible.
• Alternatively, if your feel threatened or uneasy, make an excuse that you need to get something from your car and get out of the house. You could then go to a neighbour and ask them to return to the house with you until the viewer leaves. By leaving the viewer in the property alone, you may put your valuables at risk but that’s better than putting yourself at risk.
• When conducting the viewing stay alert, be friendly but professional and avoid giving out too much personal information. Try to look confident and in control at all times.
• Remember – always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel quite right, act right away to remove yourself from the situation.