Considering the fact that many offices will have a limited amount of staff due to social distancing policies, along with the given nature of the estate and lettings agency business, it is highly likely that an agent or staff member will be required to work ‘on their own’. This could be in the office, on a new homes site, at viewings or valuations, or at a property inspection, to name but a few.

Paul Offley, Compliance Officer at The Guild of Property Professionals, says that while incidents are extremely rare, it is important that estate and lettings agents stay vigilant and have a policy in place that puts the wellbeing of their staff first when working alone.

“The policy should provide staff with best practice that ensures their safety when they find themselves in a lone working situation. We as The Guild have issued a policy document to our Members providing them with some guidelines to follow to keep them safe when they are working by themselves in various situations.”

“For example,” says Offley, “when working in the office alone, agents should always keep the door locked and only allow entry to expected visitors who have made an appointment. There should be a sign on the office door that clearly states ‘by appointment only’.  Also, make it appear as if you are not in the office alone by hanging a coat over a chair, turning on the PC at an adjoining desk or placing a drink on another desk to make it look as if it is occupied.”

He adds that other things to consider include having key contact who you can keep in touch with through-out the day at agreed intervals to let them know you are OK.

“The key contact should know when you are leaving the office for the day and when you arrive home.  There be an agreed ‘emergency word or phrase’ between you and the key contact, if needed. Ensure that your mobile phone is fully charged and has emergency numbers pre-programmed such as office, key contact and other important contacts,” advises Offley.

The guide also provide advice for agents when working from a property alone.

“Agents should always know who they are going to meet and whether that person will be alone or occupied by others. If they are bringing other people, it is important to know how many more and who they are. Never attend any appointment unless you know the name, address and contact details of the people you are meeting and have the information verified if possible. As with working in an office, you should have a key contact that knows where you are going, how long you will be, and who you are meeting. It is imperative that this happens every occasion,” says Offley.

He continues that agents should never travel to an appointment in someone else’s car and never take anyone in their own vehicle to an appointment.

“Arrive early and park your car so you can make a quick getaway in the case of an emergency. If you are at an empty property, try to see a neighbour so that they can see you arrive; go into the property, open another exit door if possible so that you have a route out by two exits and  turn on all lights if appropriate – know the property,” Offley advises.

“Other aspects to think about include carrying a personal alarm and never being the first into a room. Also, while it is good to build rapport with people, where possible don’t be drawn into giving too much away about yourself personally. When you have finished that appointment, message your key contact and let them know – keep them updated on your whereabouts.”

According to Offley, it is always good to listen to your gut and never attend an appointment on your own if it makes you feel uneasy. “If you have an uneasy feeling rather reschedule the appointment to a time when you can go with a colleague. Don’t push yourself into a situation that you are not comfortable with, rather make an alternative arrangement,” he adds.

In conclusion, Offley says that much like the safety briefing before a flight, the occasions when a lone working policy needs to be implemented are very rare – but when something does go wrong, or has the potential to go wrong, it is important that no one panics and that there is set procedure to go through – just like it would if you were flying off at 35,000 feet.

So, sit back, enjoy your job but do it safely, be aware of what is around you and look out for each other.