Would you feel comfortable letting a stranger into your house? When it comes to selling your house, that's exactly what you're doing.
You appoint an agent, you hardly know, to host potential buyers at your home. It's common practice for your agent to request a key and for you to step aside.
However, it's a significant leap of faith to place your trust solely in your agent's hands. The unsettling reality is that there have been instances where valuable items have gone missing after house viewings.
How can you ensure the safety of your belongings? In this insight, we cover the scenario of theft during a house viewing, who is responsible, and what to do next.
If there are items missing after a house viewing, you need to contact your estate agent to inform them, report the thefts to the police and make a claim on your home insurance. It is, unfortunately, unlikely you will get your items back. You should consider hiring a new agent after this incident.
It's not ideal, but ultimately you put your trust in your estate agent to oversee your viewings and they have failed upon this occasion, it may appear harsh, but deciding to replace your agent may be the right step if you intend to prevent this from happening again. There are a few reasons why this could have happened.
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There are a few ways a theft can occur during a house viewing. These include opportunistic thefts aswell as inside jobs. Sometimes it is a planned theft, but it does depend on what items are missing.
Here are a few common scenarios in which thefts can take place:
Sometimes, a potential buyer or someone accompanying them may take advantage of the homeowner's absence and seize the opportunity to steal valuable items. They may quickly pocket small items or discreetly remove them from the property.
In some cases, thefts during house viewings involve collusion between the agent or someone associated with them and the potential buyer. This person may gain access to the property with the intention of stealing valuables while posing as a legitimate buyer.
Thieves may employ distraction techniques to divert the attention of the homeowner, agent, or other viewers while they steal items. This can involve creating a commotion, pretending to be interested in one part of the property while stealing from another, or using a distraction accomplice.
There have been instances where thieves specifically target house viewings, researching the property and its valuables in advance. They may pose as legitimate buyers, gain access to the property, and then discreetly steal items while maintaining the appearance of a typical viewing.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how the crime has occurred, what is important is that you can take the correct steps to get the best resolution for the incident.
It is worth noting that it is unlikely that you will get your items back. Hopefully, they did not carry sentimental value to you. However, following these steps should lead to the next best scenario, where you are compensated and the theft is reported. To gain a fair resolution for you, these are the steps you should begin to follow:
Get in touch with your estate agent right away. Give them a call let them know about the incident. Make sure you provide all the necessary details, including descriptions and approximate values of the missing items. It's time for your agent to step up and assist you in resolving this matter. Your estate agent will be expected to cooperate with the police, and that could involve reporting the names of the recent house viewers.
Reach out to your local police and file a report about the theft during the house viewing. Be ready to provide a thorough account of what happened and any useful information or evidence you may have. Make sure you obtain a crime reference number - that'll come in handy later.
Time to bring your home insurance into the picture. Get in touch with your home insurance provider and inform them about the theft. They'll guide you through the claims process and tell you what documents they need from you. Remember to mention the crime reference number you obtained from the police - that's a crucial piece of information. Provide all the necessary documentation, such as proof of ownership, receipts, or appraisals for the stolen items.
Considering the circumstances, recovering your stolen items might be unlikely. But by taking these steps, you can at least ensure that you've reported the incident, sought compensation through your insurance, and made an effort to bring those responsible to justice.
it's time to seriously consider whether you want to stick with your current estate agent. Trust has been broken, and it's only natural to question their ability to keep your property and belongings safe. If you feel that finding a new agent is the best way to prevent such incidents in the future, start exploring other options. Look for an agent who has a solid reputation, positive client testimonials, and strong security measures in place during viewings.
Remember, taking prompt action is crucial in these situations.
We don't want any more missing items during house viewings, right? Here are some practical steps you can take to tighten up security and protect your belongings:
It's time to have a serious chat with your estate agent. Express your concerns about the safety of your property and belongings, and insist on additional security measures during house viewings. Demand that they step up their game! This could mean implementing measures like requiring visitors to show identification, maintaining a visitor log, or ensuring an agent is present at all times to closely monitor the viewers.
Before any house viewing takes place, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your prized possessions. Lock away or remove any valuable items that could easily disappear. Don't give those sticky-fingered thieves an easy opportunity. Consider using a safe or temporarily relocating valuable items off-site during the viewing period. By limiting access to your treasures, you significantly reduce the risk of theft.
If you want something done right, sometimes you just have to do it yourself. Consider being present during the viewing to keep a close eye on everything. Your presence alone can deter any potential thieves and give you peace of mind knowing that you're actively protecting your precious belongings.
If the item that was stolen was clearly shown in your listing photos, perhaps it's time to consider new photos with items hidden. The theft could be a result of something valuable noticed in your photos which made your property the prime opportunity, Consider your photos for other valuable items.
Theft during house viewings shouldn't happen and I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It may not be your fault, but it is important to consider what you could have done to prevent it from happening. Follow the steps included in the insight, take action with your estate agent and home insurance, and hopefully you can prevent finding items missing after house viewings again.
Stuart is an expert in Property, Money, Banking & Finance, having worked in retail and investment banking for 10+ years before founding Sunny Avenue. Stuart has spent his career studying finance. He holds qualifications in financial studies, mortgage advice & practice, banking operations, dealing & financial markets, derivatives, securities & investments.
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