Staying safe on property viewings: How to protect yourself

It is now 40 years since the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who went missing in 1986 after meeting a client for a property viewing. The 25-year-old never returned from her scheduled appointment to show a client, named only in her diary as ‘Mr Kipper’, around a house in Fulham. Four decades on, her disappearance remains unsolved, with the tragic case bringing into sharp relief the risks associated with meeting strangers alone. 

Harassment

According to the 2024 English Private Landlord Survey half of landlords are women, with a YouGov survey suggesting they also represent 52% of lettings agents. A report by Women in Residential Property – quoting figures from a Property Week survey – suggests 63% of female property managers have faced some form of harassment from tenants, contractors, or even colleagues. 

And with violence against women never far from the front pages, some female landlords say they have moved away from self-managing over fears for their personal safety. Landlord Radhika Shah, who appears in our inspirational landlords feature, said she now uses an agent for this reason, saying she felt vulnerable on call-outs late at night, or in the early hours of the morning. 

Of course, personal safety is not just an issue for women, with many major lettings agencies now operating lone worker policies to protect all those who may be meeting clients by themselves.

Lone worker policies

Estate and letting agency Savills says it has a range of systems in place to protect its staff. Agents will not be asked to meet anyone who hasn’t registered and provided full contact details with information shared in a team diary. 

Workers also have a ‘buddy’ who knows their whereabouts, and use lone worker app StaySafe. This allows staff to log in when attending an appointment and the app tracks them, also enabling them to call for help if needed, without anyone else knowing. In addition, staff are given a codeword to use if they think they are in danger – with lone worker training provided for new employees, and annual refreshers.  

While it is easy to think it won’t happen to you, it is advisable to introduce processes to protect yourself and any employees when working alone. 

Meera Chindooroy, deputy director of campaigns, public affairs and policy at the NRLA said: “It is imperative that all landlords think about their personal safety when hosting viewings or meeting potential tenants. 

“Meet during the daytime where possible and make sure you have your phone with you. Always let someone know where you are going, who you are meeting and when you are expected to be back; and don’t hesitate to leave a viewing if you feel uncomfortable. 

“It’s also worth looking into safety technology, such as personal alarms, lone worker devices and apps that can trigger alarms or alert emergency contacts for added peace of mind.” 

How to stay safe when visiting a property alone

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust was set up to tackle abuse, aggression, and violence,  with a particular focus on ensuring that lone workers are safe from risk, danger or harm. It developed Suzy’s Code for Personal Safety to provide organisations with a list of simple changes to help keep workers safe. 

It has asked estate and lettings agents to sign up to the code – but says that the same principles also apply to private landlords conducting their own viewings.

Suzy’s Code for Personal Safety

The code encourages organisations to: 

• Implement a buddy system so colleagues or friends always know each other’s whereabouts and contact details.  

• Ensure workers check in and out when meeting, arriving at and leaving a property, including out of normal office hours. 

• Have a system in place for colleagues to raise the alarm back at the office in case of an emergency while working alone.  

• Have a clear procedure to follow if someone does not return or check in when they are expected to. 

• Where possible, arrange for viewers to visit the office before meeting at the property so that colleagues have also seen them. 

• Offer all staff a personal safety alarm and have discreet lone worker devices available.  

• Establish who else will be present in the property eg current tenant, contractors etc. before visiting.

• Make sure all staff are aware of and have access to the personal safety measures available.  

The Trust also advises anyone visiting a property alone to:    

• Take a charged phone.

• Let someone know where you’re going and who you’re meeting.  

• Plan your journey by viewing Google Maps/Streetview.  

• Try to arrange to visit in daytime hours. 

• Carry a personal alarm or discreet lone worker device. 

For more information about the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and to sign up to  Suzy’s Code click here.