Lockdown and moving house - is it actually possible?

[LeaveTheBottle]

Hi,

Quick bit of background - we are in a medium chain. All surveys and valuations done. Mortgages in, searches and enquires mostly done so waiting for the final loose ends to be tied up and then should have agreed exchange and completion dates in the next couple of weeks I would think.

Apparently everyone in the chain is keen to get things moving full steam ahead (as it stands) and nobody has yet expressed cold feet, but I am still very anxious.

If we do go into lockdown before we have a completion date set up, can we actually physically move? I hear in some countries who are in lockdown, moving house is permitted, with the necessary precautions I assume. I can't imagine removals companies being open for business though, but then maybe there is a way this could be done if we all kept our distance??... Can't see how we could do it without them.

Is there anyone in the know about this? I can't stand to think we'll be stuck here indefinitely. It's taken us a couple of years to get to this point and it's been hell. It really has been a nightmare.

TIA

Was meant to complete yesterday and move tomorrow but it’s all on hold because the land registry is shut, so the deeds can’t be changed to my name. I’m gutted, I was so excited, was meant to be moving into my first house. At least I’ve got somewhere to live. Hopefully everything will still work out.

@maxiflump1 we were in the same position as you. We set the move date so we had a week to pack up and move. We have 2 young kids too, who have basically been babysat by the tv and wii all week 🙈 We hired 2 storage units and have been moving things gradually into these all week. I bought boxes online and have been packing into boxes and cleaning and DH has been doing trips to storage with everything. We just have a car and a trailer. I've heard that van hire is still possible though if that is an option for you? Hope you can get something sorted

@0htooooodles unfortunately there is no way we can do it just the two of us. I have a bulging disc in my lower back and struggle to even lift the toddler let alone anything heavy or awkward. My DH also has a whole woodwork workshop that has to be moved including saw benches, lathes etc that need at least two fit able people to move. We therefore are reliant on either friend or removal companies.

@wombatsandaplant are you in England or Scotland??

@maxiflump1 I’m in Scotland.

Regarding signatures - have a look at e-signature software, which allows you to send document via email and get them digitally signed. This is legally binding, although you might want to run this by your solicitors. Check out HelloSign, DocuSign, etc. If you know something with a licence they can upload the document for you.

@Sockbogies, thanks, but isn't that just for digital signatures rather than actually witnessing signatures?

Damn yes. Sorry, that was a totally useless suggestion! I hope you get something sorted

How is everyone getting on? It's looking like we are actually moving tomorrow! Movers came this morning and packed up the house. Money has been transferred ready for completion (exchange happened a few weeks ago). Our sellers moved out last weekend so we are moving into an empty house. We've had three sales fall through previously, two of them within days of exchange so I'll be unbelievably relieved to actually get into our new place!

great news Afrikat enjoy your new home we moved a week ago the relief was incredible

I hope that people who have moved over the last coupke of weeks are taking food and supplies with them and are self isolating for at least a couple of weeks?? Quite a few smaller food shops around here are only supplying food to locals because of stupid fucking idiots coming from known hotspots ie london

We're hoping to move tomorrow too. Everything is packed up and ready. All houses vacant. Solicitors geared up to exchange and complete tomorrow 🤞🏼

House is packed up and in the van, just waiting for the magic call!

We are in!! So, so relieved. Good luck to everyone else still hoping to move

evilspirtgin please don't preach to others

We are in too!! Best of luck to everyone else due to move. Keep on keeping on!!

@Elcampello7

I don’t particularly give a fuck to what you think, I live in a rural community and we don’t want people from other area’s moving in when we are on a lockdown, afterwards fine but not now.

Why can’t you understand that

I think it’s dammed selfish

Evilspiritgin thank god you live no where near to anyone and your name says it all saddo

Re electronic signatures

Did anyone see bbc news this morning? My dm said they were discussing house moves, but I missed it.

@OutComeTheWolves, watching with interest....

@OutComeTheWolves No. can't find anything online about it either? Has the gov changed things again? We've finally got a date for move and completion! Just have to keep our 🤞🏻 nothing goes tits up before then 😫

Anyone else?...

@OutComeTheWolves @Quarantini I think it was just this article about how house sales have dropped 70% in the last month which is no great surprise I guess!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-52196516

Ah thanks @maxiflump1 I was hoping it would be something a bit more positive - they've announced that all house moves absolutely must go ahead to help put cash back into the economy or something similar