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HomeMy Public PortalAboutReal Estate Transactions_202008051058191469Larry Ramdin, MPH REHS CHO Director of Public Health TOWN OF WATERTOWN Health Departm en t Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6446 Fax: 617-972-6499 www.wate rtown-ma. gov Real Estate, Landlord and Tenant Transactions and Interactions during Coronavirus The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting real estate in unprecedented ways, and raises numerous unique and novel issues for the industry. This guidance, from the Town of Watertown aims to respond to commonly asked questions, and to empower tenants/sellers/landlords to successfully navigate their real estate transactions during these challenging, and continually evolving, circumstances. • Landlords are permitted to show apartments that are still occupied by tenants. • Sellers/Landlords must inform the tenants/occupants at least twenty-four hours in advance of the scheduled showing. • The only time the residence may not be shown is if the tenant/occupant is under quarantine due to COVID-19. • Sellers/Landlords must adhere to safety guidelines when showing a property whether it is vacant, owner -occupied, or tenant -occupied, and consider implementing different precautions for occupied properties versus vacant properties. • Occupied apartments are under the control of tenants/occupants and the real estate agent/landlord must respect the privacy of the tenant/occupant when in the housing unit. During In -Person Showings • Adhere to social distancing recommendations, and maintain a minimum of six feet of space between persons at all times. • Avoid shaking hands with clients. • Limit the number of persons who may attend a showing, such as only four people total. • Encourage all persons entering a property to immediately use gloves or hand sanitizer and wear a face covering. • Instruct buyers/renters and others touring the home to avoid touching any surfaces in the home, such as light switches, cabinet and door handles. • Instruct buyers/renters and guests not to use bathroom facilities at the property. • Do not share phones, pens, or tablets or other personal property during the showing. • Comply with any requirements of the tenant/seller/landlord during the showing. After Showing Property • Sellers/Landlords should wipe down any surfaces touched during the showing with a sanitizing wipe or disinfecting cleaner, as requested by tenants/occupants/landlord. • Wipe down the key and lockbox with a sanitizing wipe or disinfecting cleaner after use. • Speak with buyers/renters outside of the property or in a ventilated area while maintaining a distance of 6 feet, or arrange to speak by phone or email. • Sellers/Landlords should not provide any paper documents, and instead follow up with any information electronically after you leave the property. • Use hand sanitizer upon returning to your vehicles. • Sellers/Landlords should maintain a detailed log of interactions to enable contact tracing, to include names, dates, and locations of interactions, as well as a party's contact information.