Moving house during corronavirus

[Emmalou88]

Me and my partner have been living separately the past few years while saving for our first home.
Last year we purchased a property which fell through due to major boundary issues.
In January our offer was accepted on a perfect house,it was slightly over budget but we could just afford it..
Fast forward 2 months, we paid our deposit The sellers delayed it a week. They have since changed back to the original date (4 days time) but since we have had the warning from the government not to move unless necessary and our solicitors have advised not to. We haven't eschanged as yet!
We contacted the seller to explain but he has called saying he is desperate to move as he and his partner have split, they cannot afford the mortgage next month and one is starting a course in May.
I felt awful and thought maybe we should go ahead but my partner is unsure. He is self employed and is currently not working due to the virus. My one job is safe but i will struggle paying for everything just on my salary while the virus is on. My partner is also worried as he has underlying health issues so is self isolating. But if we did move in we would be able to see eachother if we do go in lockdown.
There is pros and cons on boths sides.
Can anyone give advice..

In Scotland no sales are settling as the land registry is closed. It’s causing issues for anyone selling/buying. Is there anything similar happening where you are?

As far as i know not yet.
The solicitors sent me a long list of possible problems.
The sellers house may have the virus
We could have to pay a fine
The bank transfers may be slower
Estate agents may not be able to give the keys.
Removal companies may not help..
But nothing about land registry.. I'm thinking they may be trying to push it along before it gets to that point.

The Land Registry is different in England. They don't get involved until after completion.

Ahh ok, thanks! That explains why i haven't heard anything about that being a problem yet.
The sellers wanted us to complete Tuesday next week, I'm guessing we couldn't complete if they are closed anyway.

I have exchanged so have to complete, but govt advising those who haven't exchanged to hold off.

Removal companies have largely downed tools and will be a huge problem, I got my stuff packed and loaded into storage Tues morning and was one of the last ones my removals company did.

Most decent solicitors are set up to work from home and can complete etc.

Scottish land registry had issues because they have a different system more paper based so doing completions online is very limited for them. I have been told the English land registry is more online but I'm not an expert.

Not sure about mortgage fund releases as I am a cash buyer and have a cash buyer for my sale.

In all honesty if I hadn't already exchanged two weeks ago I would have held off, is very stressful. Moving house is on the list of stuff you can do if you have exchanged etc.

Check out the law society website, UK land registry and Scottish land registry if in Scotland, plus the conveyancing lawyer website (CLC.)

Already a few threads on this in homes and property section, someone on one of them has just exchanged and completed this morning.

Thank you vintagevixen!
We obviously want to move but are aware of the issues. Although we don't want to cause an issue to the seller by delaying it we have to think of our own situation.
My partner is self employed and is not working due to the virus, we will be moving in with nothing and electrical/furniture/ DIY shops are closed so we can't buy things and wont be able to set up internet ect.
If we exchanged a few weeks ago it wouldn't have been a problem. The seller is offering to leave the oven and food which is nice but we will still struggle. I feel like we are letting the sellers down if we don't rush through the exchange in contracts.