Propertymark Updates Lone-Working Safety Guidance for Estate Agents — 40 Years After Suzy Lamplugh's Disappearance

Ons siening

While this guidance originates in the UK, it carries direct relevance for South African estate agents and rental professionals. Lone viewings — often conducted by a single agent showing an unfamiliar property to an unverified prospect — remain a routine but under-regulated practice locally. South African agents operate under the EAAB's code of conduct, but there is no equivalent national lone-working standard. This guidance offers a practical framework that local principals and agency owners can adapt immediately: formalise risk assessments, implement a check-in protocol, and ensure staff are trained to recognise warning signs and exit safely. For agents working in areas with poor signal or conducting after-hours viewings, these steps are not optional extras — they are basic duty of care. Landlords and sellers should also consider whether their appointed agents have documented safety procedures in place; it is a fair question to ask before signing a mandate. Safety culture starts at the top of every agency.