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

We have exchanged and are due to complete next week, but removal company have just cancelled. We have a long move to Wales - solicitor has advised they are still exchanging and completing contracts so we are trying to find alternative removals!

Hertz have confirmed the government have allowed them to stay open and they specifically mentioned allowed because people need to move house

We are booked for Friday and they said it will all go ahead as normal

we are trying to find alternative removals!

This is confusing me. I've read a few things like this and I don't really understand. Surely it can't be one rule for one and not for the other??

I would think either removals are still allowed to operate or they're not.

I managed to book a van for this weekend too just hoping we dont get stopped by police!

Spoke to our removal company in Edinburgh and they have confirmed they are in process of sending email canceling all moves.
Also, partner is a solicitor and saying registry office is closed so contracts may not be able to be completed anyway. Will actually reduce a lot of stress if we just have to stay where we are, only a worldwide pandemic to worry about now 😂

Update. Removal company started to pack today, thank god. All is going well for exchange / complete tomorrow.

I hope it goes well for everyone. Give every link in your chain and move a call... from movers, to buyers, to sellers!

Nows the time to double check position to give you time to change anything.

The advice from the BAR association is to complete jobs that have already started...

Not every removal company is a member of BAR (trade union ) thousands and thousands are just guys with Luton Van's and insurance we move Friday all is exchanged already and completion on Friday the sticking point for a lot is transferring the keys as estate agents are closed we simply arranged to pass the keys to the buyer at our door when we recieve confirmation....if you have exchanged it is legal and you can move if you have not exchanged there lies the issue

According to the latest info, "is is unlikely the police will be pulling cars over just for driving". If you're doing the move yourself, it sounds like it will be absolutely fine. Car rental companies generally remain open, as well as many removal companies (independent of BAR) so it feels like we should all be okay. If you have any work being carried out (plumbing, building etc), it's fine for it to continue but social distancing measures should be observed. I assume same applies if you have any movers coming in, or cleaners for that matter. As long as it's a couple of people and you're not all crammed together, it should be fine. I think it's not just us, a handful of people, in the middle of these situations. This is affecting literally thousands, if not millions of people, it would be unreasonable to assume everything can just stop. I think people just need to use common sense.

my removal company who are moving us Friday just called a police car just went past him slowly never batted an eyelid , it's not removal companies that the government are targeting!

Our move is cancelled (rental to rental), removals company complying with BAR guidance, plus our move is a bit more complicated (ferry journeys). Thankfully my new employer is happy for me to still start on my agreed date but work remotely, that's a relief! Both landlords have been understanding and we're lucky that we can stay put as no new tenants are moving in.
I actually feel a bit relieved that I know where I stand rather than not knowing what was going to happen!

Now to start unpacking boxes!!

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/24/coronavirus-qa-dos-donts-self-isolation/

There is a question about house moves but it looks like no one has a definite answer really!

t.co/2NfEnZAcGT I have just seen this

Current advice from the Council for Licensed Conveyancers: www.clc-uk.org/coronavirus-impact-on-transactions-update-24-march/

My moves been cancelled which was with a housing association , devastated

Xx12345 was it a rental or shared ownership? It must be gutting for you either way

@Xx12345, surely if it was HA you'll be high priority and essential travel?...

Cancelled or postponed? Had you exchanged and were due to complete?

Thank you @MinnieMountain!

looks like only exchange with completion date will go ahead with public health regulations ppe etc and distance between you etc
.more info later today or tomorrow

sorry above should have read only transactions that have already been exchanged with a completion over the next few days will proceed

What's the chances of that changing do you think?!
I'm terrified.... need to get to Thursday with no further restrictions

just read that this will be the instructions

Does this include lettings?
We have signed the tenancy and paid deposit and rent etc and we have to move out of where we live because someone else is taking over the property

We are picking the keys up tomorrow morning

My sale has been cancelled for thursday. The land registry wont allow it. I am now homeless

@Foreverhopeful91, what is your situation exactly?