If you are going to visit somebody at their property, follow our advice to protect your personal safety.

• Always plan your journey in advance - check bus and train times. If practical, order a cab to come to the property you are viewing at a certain time, or arrange for someone to collect you at a pre-arranged time.
• Try to view the property in daylight.
• If you can, take someone with you.
• If you can't take someone, leave the following details with a friend or relative or in an obvious place in your own home, or call your own answer machine with the details:
  • where you are going (address and telephone number)
  • the time of the viewing
  • the name of the person you are meeting.
• Ask the person you are meeting if there will be someone else there when you view the property. Don't be ashamed to say that you are aware of your own personal safety and need to know as many details as possible so that you can inform a friend of your whereabouts.
• Never accept a lift before or after viewing a property - no matter how tempting the offer.
• Carry a personal alarm. Have it in an easily accessible pocket.
• Bring your mobile phone and keep it switched on and in a safe place, out of view. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one.
• Use the mobile phone to 'log someone in'. Phone a friend or relative to say "Hi, just to let you know I've arrived at .. and Mr (or Mrs).. is showing me around. I'll meet you in 20 minutes, but give me a ring if I'm running late."
• Trust your instincts. If you have a funny feeling about something, leave straight away. Be prepared with an excuse to leave before attending the viewing, for example, feeling sick, the rooms are not big enough or the property is too large for your needs. Be polite about the property you are viewing.

If you are showing your property

• Do not give out unnecessary personal details.
• Try to make sure someone is with you during the viewing.
• Check whether there will be anyone with the person who is viewing your property, and if so, who it is.
• Let a friend or neighbour know that someone is coming to see your home. Give the name, address and telephone number of the person viewing, and the time of the viewing.
• Let the viewer know that your friend or neighbour will be dropping by in 20 to 30 minutes, and arrange with someone to do so. Let the friend or neighbour know that if you phone during the viewing, they should come immediately.
• If you are uneasy, phone the friend or neighbour you have arranged to pop in so that they come immediately.