Selling - what if my estate agent falls over?

jessegee

We're selling our flat, and wondered what would happen if the estate agent or client viewing it fell over or hurt themselves?

It's an old character flat, with a few steep steps, but it's location is attracting elderly viewers, one sweet lady even walked with a disability trolley !
The agent does all the viewings, he's v good but not trained in safe mobility.

how do I best insure/ protect ourselves in the event of an accident/ claim?

Guest101

jessegee wrote: »

We're selling our flat, and wondered what would happen if the estate agent or client viewing it fell over or hurt themselves?

It's an old character flat, with a few steep steps, but it's location is attracting elderly viewers, one sweet lady even walked with a disability trolley !
The agent does all the viewings, he's v good but not trained in safe mobility.

how do I best insure/ protect ourselves in the event of an accident/ claim?

As private individuals there is much less onus on you in regards liability.

If there are issues inform the estate agent, if it is safe then nothing more to be done

Mr.Generous

talk to the agent about your concerns, alert him and ask him to take care and advise viewers accordingly.

davidmcn

Occupier's liability is a standard part of home insurance policies (assuming you have one). Obviously, less paperwork involved if you can try to prevent people falling over...

moneyistooshorttomention

I would just take it that it's the EA's concern - and not the home-owners - to make sure that viewers and themselves were covered by insurance cover.

After all - there are many homes that don't have insurance - so who else would be the one paying-up then in the event of a compensation claim? Obviously EA's must have a blanket policy to cover themselves. Thought literally never occurred to me when selling my last house.

Check out the small print on the agreement you have with the EA. Their insurance cover should be detailed in that somewhere one would assume.

Davesnave

The EA through which we rented a house for a short time, 'fell over' just after the last recession.

It's not often I take delight in others' misfortunes, but :beer:

lewishardwick

The elderly don't need an excuse to fall over. Seen plenty go on a perfectly flat piece of flooring before.

Let the EA worry. If the steps are too much for them, they shouldn't go up them.

jessegee

Thanks everyone, I'll check our policy and ask the agent.

davidmcn

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

there are many homes that don't have insurance - so who else would be the one paying-up then in the event of a compensation claim?

The home owner, from their own resources rather than their insurance policy. Of course, it's less attractive to sue someone who doesn't have insurance, but the lack of a policy doesn't affect liability.

Obviously EA's must have a blanket policy to cover themselves.

Insurance for things they're actually responsible for, yes. I doubt there's any established principle that they're meant to go round new clients' properties, carry out a risk assessment and thereafter accept responsibility for things which go wrong.

Anyway, if this really is just a risk as obvious as "going up some stairs" (rather than loose carpets, wobbly floorboards or mantraps) then I'm not sure why there would be a case. I would be more concerned about why the EA is wasting everyone's time by inviting viewers who seem unsuited for the property.

marksoton

jessegee wrote: »

We're selling our flat, and wondered what would happen if the estate agent or client viewing it fell over or hurt themselves?

There would be one less idiot on the planet.

PasturesNew

It's only since seeing programmes such as "Wanted Down Under" that I've realised home viewers can be a feral nuisance. On that programme the kids seem to run riot.

It makes you wonder if they're watching as their little darlings play with your razor blades in the bathroom, eat your birth control pills or your entire packet of paracetamol in the bedside cabinet, cut themselves on the broken glass you've put in the bin, drink the bleach and other household items (including dishwasher tablets) from under the sink.