Step 1: Adopt a “Prevention Plan.” You may use C.A.R. Document BPPP, Best Practices Guidelines/Prevention Plan for Showings (available within the COVID library in zipForm®), for this purpose. The BPPP should be signed by the broker/office manager and agreed to by all agents.
Step 2: Do not hold open houses or showings that are open to the general public or on a walk-in basis. Use an appointment or digital sign-in process to control the number of people at the house. Showings should be done virtually, whenever possible. Under the Prevention Plan, only one “buying party” may view the property in person at one time.
Step 3: All visitors must sign a PEAD-V form (available within the COVID library in zipForm®) and deliver it electronically to the listing agent in advance. Doing this accomplishes several things: a) It is an agreement that the visitor will comply with the posted “Rules for Showings”; b) The visitor acknowledges receiving and agrees to the Prevention Plan; and c) The visitor attests they are not, to the best of their knowledge, afflicted with COVID-19, among other things.
Step 4: The Rules for Showings must be posted at the entrance to the property and be clearly visible. Also link to or publish these rules in MLS listings and publicly online. You can add this LINK to your public remarks.
Step 5: The property must be equipped with hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and face masks. It is the Listing Broker’s responsibility to provide masks, hand-sanitizer and disinfecting wipes at each property showing.
Step 6: The property must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Commonly used surfaces such as counters, door and cabinet handles, key lock boxes, keypads, toilets, sinks, light switches, etc., must be cleaned and disinfected before and after each showing. Ultimately, the responsibility for this falls on the listing agent and brokerage. C.A.R. Form RLA-CAA can require the seller to pay for the costs of an outside cleaning service. Allow for adequate time for cleaning between showings. If current occupants are present and/or participate during showings, they should adhere to the same cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Step 7: Open doors and windows, weather permitting, to introduce fresh air. Also, doors and other areas of ingress and egress must be opened to minimize clients touching surfaces.
Step 8: Prior to or immediately upon entry, all visitors must use hand sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and water before touring or inspecting the property.
Step 9: After showing the property, ensure disposable covers (masks and gloves, etc.) are properly discarded after use, for example in a trash bag that is sealed prior to disposal.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here for the recorded webinar Rules for Showing Property in Today’s COVID-19 Environment presented by C.A.R. attorneys Robert Bloom, Amanda Byun, Justin Murakawa, Howard Fallman and Neil Kalin
The following forms and resources are now in zipForms®:
- Coronavirus Property Entry Advisory and Declaration – Visitor (PEAD-V)
- Coronavirus Property Entry Advisory and Declaration – Seller (PEAD-S)
- Coronavirus Lease/Rental Property Entry Advisory and Declaration (PEAD-LR)
- Listing Agreement Coronavirus Addendum or Amendment (RLA-CAA)
- Posted Rules for Entry
- Best Practices Guidelines for Real Estate During COVID-19 *Please read the guidelines carefully and implement them at all times when showing properties.