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

My solicitor said that mortgage companies May not release the funds

Hi
Im in the same situation, due to complete and move on Friday chain free move.
My partner owns a van so we don't need removals.
Spoken to my mortgage broker and he said hes had an email to say the solicitor has requested funds so it should be fine for Friday.
Just depends if the conveyancers are still working, so stressful.

I am due to move next week into a new build .. following for some advice. We are moving on our own, no removal company half hr down the road. We have to hand our keys back to a private landlord on the 4th April 🥺 why is this so stressful.

My friend just messaged me to say that car and van rentals are still being permitted to go ahead as normal, apparently it was on the news

Just posted the video from BBC Breakfast on my Twitter profile @Hooood to help. I think you’ll be allowed to move if you have exchanged or can’t pause the process. Gutted I didn’t exchange Friday like planned. They haven’t closed all businessss so some removal firms should stay active. I think it will all depends on if your solicitor and chain is happy to complete #staysafe

Do you think this applies for renters too? We have signed contracts, paid the first month's rent yesterday and due to pick up the keys tomorrow

So we definitely can not pause the process

Just joined myself for this. We're renters and we've moved half of our stuff into our new rented property, it's literally down the street, a straight line 2 minute walk from the flat we're leaving. Our broadband is being switched off in this flat from the 3rd and I need it for home working! We're thinking we should be able to go ahead; we've no more "heavy" items to shift and it'll just be me and my partner moving things.

UpDATE- mum’s moving, removal van arrived 8.30, now in transit to new house 😊

A relief JWED, I am massively relieved for you!

We still have not heard anything from our solicitors, and the whole waiting and uncertainty is extremely frustrating. However, we're waiting until mid-day/afternoon to call, as she's probably in the same boat right now, so giving some time should allow for some new info and instructions to come in. I'll update here as and when we do.
However, I do think that if you have exchanged and have everything in the works, it is essential that you complete your move. It's not really an optional thing. Many of you have said it - you've switched off / turned on utilities, you've given notice, you have new people coming into your property, etc. Doing nothing is not an option. Also, unless you're planning to hire a whole team of people, I don't think having a couple of removal guys is a "gathering". Honestly, we should all be fine. Whoever needs to move out, will move out. Whoever needs to move in, will move in. It's a weird situation and it is stressful, but we will all be Okay.

Just off phone to mine. As we have signed, concluded and funds have been released we are good to move Thursday. Using common sense that we dont have loads of people helping etc.

It's a nightmare isn't it when something big is going on in people's lives. The ones who will find it easier are those who are settled and happy. Anything else and makes life extremely difficult for people.

My husband and I have a removals company and the advice we have received this morning is that if our clients move is essential and they are unable to pause the process, or would be made homeless we are able to move them. Our vans are already out and we are moving people this morning and are fully booked for the foreseeable unless advice changes. We are getting our customers to confirm that their moves are essential just to cover us and whilst in properties following social distancing guidelines.

Spoke to the solicitors and estate agents and we are still completing on Friday as planned.
If the estate agents have to close by then the office phone diverts to mobiles so they can give us the keys.

Hi, we have exchanged last Friday, due to complete this Friday. Awaiting confirmation from our solicitors as to if will go ahead or not! Hire van company is still open at the mo...

@Wizzydora spoke to my letting agency of the flat I'm leaving and they said it's up to my discretion. They've also told me to hang onto the keys even if I fully move out before my technical move out date and they'll contact me closer to the time to arrange getting them off me.

Just updating that my solicitor has confirmed we are ready to complete tomorrow, and our removals company has also said they are moving those who don’t really have an option to stay put. Fingers crossed no one else in the chain has a problem. Not super comfortable with the exposure risk involved here (moving team, taxi to new place, exchanging keys), but it’s just not an option for us to stay put.

So it's sounding as though if you were all ready towards the end of the process - I.e, exchanged contracts, then your move is classed as essential.

People like me who still haven't got an exchange and completion date, will probably be delayed for a long while

Update, my solcitors are happy to go ahead with sale and purchase on Thursday. So long as they other 2 in my chain ar happy. Buzzing

LeaveTheBottle have you spoken to your Solicitors?

Just make sure you can actually move. The removal companies are not classed as essential services and if you cant vacate the property you will be in breach and liable. I'm a conveyancing assistant and the actual exchange and completion we are able to do remotely but the physical move is the problem

ShirleyAnnV yes this is the issue. We’re just hiring a van for our move so hopefully they’ll stay open! They said they are for now.

Whether they’ll remain open is anyone’s guess

I have had word from our van hire that they have had exemption and are classed as essential but people having to move etc so will be staying open

BAR (British Association of Removers) have told their members to only complete any moves that are underway and immediately cancel or postpone any move that has not yet started.
We are in a position where even the parties in the chain agree to complete we cant physically move

bar.co.uk/

After reading the thread, am I right thinking, if the move is essential, I can still go out and move things by myself?

I don't have furniture so can do it myself - but the tricky part is I can't drive [crying with tears]. Is public transport allowed?