COVID-19

Carrying out RICS Building Surveys during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

On 4th January 2021, the Government announced a new national lockdown. Guidance on what you can and cannot do in England can be found at:


Moving home

You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings.
Follow the national guidance on moving home safely, which includes advice on social distancing, letting fresh air in, and wearing a face covering.

We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone and want to ensure that any building survey is carried out in accordance with the latest guidelines for the safety of both the occupants and the surveyor. We have therefore prepared this information sheet and checklist to outline how the risk of infection can be minimised.

Prior to carrying out a survey:
  • Every request to undertake a survey will be risk assessed.
  • No survey will take place if the surveyor or a member of their family is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, is self-isolating or has been instructed to shield.
  • No survey will take place where a member of a household is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, is self-isolating or has been instructed to shield.
  • The householder will be asked to inform the surveyor if they or any member of their household perceives themselves to be in a higher risk category that may require additional health and safety measures. This may include for example older people, those with underlying health conditions or people working in higher risk environments.
  • Prior to the survey we will communicate with the householder to discuss how the survey will be undertaken to minimise risk for all parties, this may include the occupants leaving the property for the duration of the survey.
  • A list of pre-survey questions will be sent to the householder in advance of the inspection. This is to reduce the need to ask questions during the survey, by obtaining answers to these beforehand.
  • We will agree the day and time for the survey to take place, provide indicative timings and how to contact/ communicate with you.

Day of the survey:
  • We will contact the occupier on arrival to let you know that we are at the property.
  • If the property is not vacant the surveyor will wear a face mask and disposal gloves at all times during the survey and will regularly utilise hand sanitiser.
  • A distance of at least 2 metres will be maintained at all times. If the property cannot be fully unoccupied for the duration of the survey then only one member of the household should be present.
  • If the surveyor believes that any occupier may be showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms, the surveyor will immediately vacate the property and will not be able to complete the survey. The surveyor will not be able to return to the property to complete the survey for a period of at least 14 days.
  • Unless agreed otherwise, we will carry out an inspection of the external parts first. Please ensure all locks are disengaged and gates are open prior to the surveyors agreed time of arrival.
  • The occupier must leave all internal doors, windows, gates and outbuildings unlocked prior to the survey commencing in order to assist the surveyor. External doors must also be unlocked wherever possible.
  • We will need access to gas and electric meters, water stop valve, electrical fuse box, boiler and hot water cylinder. If these are located in cupboards inside the house, then please open the doors and remove any stored objects that may be in the way.
  • The surveyor will need to open all doors and windows during the survey to check their condition and operation. The householder is advised to clean all door and window handles immediately after the survey has taken place.
  • There is no need to offer the surveyor a cup of tea or coffee. The surveyor may provide their own drink which will only be consumed in the car outside.

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss any of the above, or the separate pre-survey questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Pre-survey questions