COVID-19 Notice

In these unprecedented times, Axiom Stone Solicitors will, in common with other businesses, be following the Government's official advice on social distancing and social isolating.

Public health measures must have the highest priority and, as a result, some staff will be working from home. Also, our offices will be closed to visitors.

However, we wish to reassure existing and potential clients that we will continue to provide the highest levels of service.

Please be assured we have a robust business continuity plan in place that is designed to minimise the impact on our service to you.

In addition, please continue to contact us electronically or by phone in relation to the progress of your matters or on any issues of concern to you.

Until further notice, service of claim forms, application notices and all other court documents and contractual notices must be made to our head office only (we shall not accept service through any other means). Our head office address is at Axiom Stone Solicitors, Axiom House, 1 Spring Villa Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7EB. We ask that all other correspondence be sent by email to the relevant member of Axiom Stone Solicitors. In the event that service of court documents or contractual notices is attempted by post, courier, DX, or fax to any address other than that of our Head Office, we cannot provide any assurance that they will be received or processed. We are grateful for your understanding at this time.

We will update this information regularly on our website (Please see COVID-19 Updates Here) and via social media.

Finally, we urge everybody to follow the official advice on fighting the virus outbreak so enabling you to stay safe and well.

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Decontamination Advice on Moving Homes

Parveen Sidhu considers the COVID-19 safety issues

Clients who are purchasing properties often have to deal with the logistics of removal vans and collecting keys. But, in this new era of social distancing and self-isolation following the outbreak of COVID-19, those who are considered high risk – pregnant women, aged 70 and over and those with weak immune systems – must now consider decontamination of homes.

The experiences of new coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) have formed the been used to form public guidance on ‘Decontamination of your new home’ dated 26 March 2020.  The risk of infection depends on a number of factors including: the type of surfaces contaminated, the amount of virus shed from the individual, the time the individual spent in the setting and the time since the individual was last in the setting.

The infection risk from coronavirus decreases over time and is likely to be reduced significantly after 72 hours. This is based on studies of other viruses within the same family.

Therefore, a property that is being sold by an executor can be considered to be of a lower risk compared to a property that is being sold in a chain.

What do our clients need to know, especially those considered high risk, when selling a property and moving into a new home immediately after?

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – The minimum PPE to be worn for cleaning an area where a person with possible or confirmed coronavirus is disposable gloves and an apron. Clients may protect themselves further by having the necessary equipment to protect the cleaner’s eyes, mouth and nose. The local Public Health England (PHE) Health Protection Team (HPT) can advise on this.
  • Cleaning and Disinfection – All surfaces that the symptomatic person has come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected as normal. The guidelines have suggested many measures for this which can be looked into in more detail. One suggestion is to use either a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine. In addition, anything heavily contaminated with body fluids can cannot be cleaned by washing should be disposed of.
  • Laundry – Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an unwell person can be washed with other people’s items. Dirty laundry must not be shaken, thus minimising the possibility of dispensing virus through the air.
  • Waste – Waste should be stored safely and kept away from children. Waste should not be put into communal waste areas until negative test results are known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours. If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, arrange for collection as a Category B infection waster either by your local waste collection authority (if they currently collect your waster), otherwise by a specialist clinical waste contractor.

The above measures can be utilised to effectively protect a property and, so, our clients. By adhering to the public guidelines our clients can successfully purchase a property and move into their new home: a moment. in their lives that will bring joy and happiness.

Parveen Sidhu – Associate Solicitor

“It is increasingly becoming paramount that the public receive appropriate steps and guidance to ensure their safety. We are constantly updating our procedures and advice to take account of the most recent guidelines and requirements. Client safety is our top priority during these unprecedented times and we work diligently with all parties concerned to ensure a safe and satisfactory transaction.”