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

Update.... my help to buy issued and mortgage funds released and with my solicitor. 😊

We have closed our removal company for the for the next few weeks at least. We have finished the ones that had to move otherwise they would be homeless but others are all cancelled. We feel absolutely awful for the families stuck in limbo but we feel we have no choice. Luckily we have savings and our staff will be fine for a while at least.

broken234 amazing! Stay safe

My conveyancer has been in touch (countrywide) they are shutting tomorrow and only completing up until Friday. This was their advice from the government. Said they will reopen in 2-3 weeks which I doubt very much!

Well our buyer just pulled out. So it’s over for us very short chain, empty houses, downsizing for all - gutted. But she didn’t want a 2nd mortgage extension.

Stay safe everyone xx

Oh I'm so sorry @Conrad79

We've exchanged and due to move on 3rd. Worried sick!

We're FTB and the property we are buying has no chain. Our solicitor told us this morning that they are working as normal for the time being (albeit from home) and that our lender is doing the same. We've also spoken to the estate agent who reassured us that they are completing and purchases that have already exchanged. He was in the office today because of a completion which he said has gone through as normal. Our removals company have said they are classed as essential services and will be moving people that have already exchanged.

The 3rd cannot come soon enough!!!

@showmethegin, sounds like you exchanged just in time Good luck!

showmethegin the only hurdle you may have is a complete lockdown which means removal companies will find it out of their hands good luck fingers crossed for you !! we move Friday exchanged 3 weeks ago thank god I pushed and pushed for early exchange when my solicitor said do it all on moving day if we had we would be like many devistated
..

Lasted update for Scottish sales

www.ros.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/updates/update-on-interim-measure-discussions-with-law-society-and-uk-finance

@Elcampello7 there's nothing in either the Law Society or CLC guidance at the moment that says you're only safe if you've exchanged, so stop spreading misinformation. You're not an expert just because you've managed to move house.

It's so unknown at the moment. Things change every day, firms have different procedures and even within that not each matter will have the same solution.

pressed a button mini mountain?

mini mountain I would bet my house on non exchanged deals rarely happening at the moment just read the posts and press

Even if removal companies are no longer able to work, you could always try and hire a van yourself (this is what my seller was trying to organise before I was informed we have to hold for another few weeks)

Fingers crossed then 🤞

As far as I can work out Gove has said if you've exchanged carry on and move once completion has happened but if you've not yet exchanged, pause.

Sorry ignore last post was meant for foreverhopeful91

Sooverthemill ....spot on if your not exchanged your in limbo and exposed to pull outs especially in a chain ,that's the directive the main issue after exchange at present is removals most are stopping after and even sorting Keys as estate agents are closed

Sorry but this information is completely false And scaremongering. We’re using the largest law firm in the country and they assure us that they are proceeding with completions as normal, not just up to this Friday. The only thing that could stop this from happening is if a stricter, full lockdown is implemented before completion.

I’m in Scotland and got keys on Wednesday. We are continuing our moving as we are going from house - car - house early AM then late PM. I’m 23 weeks pregnant and staying with my partners family 1 who has a terrible cough so I’d rather not be near him! The room we stay in isn’t in the house. I’ll still get bashed for this though baha

Well clearly @Elcampello7 you've pressed a button. But your posts are yet another example of the danger of misinformation.

I can say THAT with certainty because not even the body that wrote the contract conditions and procedures for England and Wales can say with certainty.

Anyone who hasn't yet exchanged but is close to prior to COVID-19, are your solicitors still gonna allow you to exchange now that we are in lockdown?

@QuakingQuiche no, i mentioned earlier in the thread that I was literally about to exchange/complete and it's been held off for 3 weeks my solicitor said all will be enforced to hold off if they haven't yet exchanged but from what I've read/heard this isn't the case so your firm may be different.

Those who have exchanged contracts appeared to be covered:

This has just been published on the CLC website:

A Government spokesperson said: “Home buyers and renters should, as far as possible, delay moving to a new house while emergency measures are in place to fight coronavirus.

“If moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, people must follow advice on social distancing to minimise the spread of the virus.

“Anyone with symptoms, self-isolating or shielding from the virus, should follow medical advice and not move house for the time being.”

Additional information:

We will be publishing further guidance as soon as possible.
Where moves do need to go ahead, all those involved should take care to follow Government guidance on social distancing and hygiene. See Public Health England guidance

here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

I meant to say "appear" not "appeared" sorry. In other words people who have exchange contract appear to be covered and there is a bit of room for manoeuvre as at today for others.