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.