For emailing the police?

[itsnotanyonesyear]

We're buying a new build house and are rushing to complete before the stamp duty holiday ends. Our developer has told us there are big delays ordering kitchen/bathrooms and that we need to place our order in the next week if we want any hope of completing on time. We are supposed to go on Wednesday to do just that but DH wants to cancel because we are in a firebreak lockdown (Wales) and he doesn't want to get fined. I completely get it, we've followed all the rules but the fact that the builders merchants is open and we have a strict deadline surely means it's ok? We've ended up having a huge argument over it because having to cough up an extra £4K for stamp duty to me is a bigger risk than the police fining us £60. I know the Welsh lockdown 'ends' on the 9th but who knows what the new restrictions will be, my fear is that they get tighter or nothing really changes. The appointment would be social distanced and with masks. It's so much money at risk here.

I ended up emailing the non urgent contact centre for our police force to ask if we'd be fined for this, DH said that's an absolutely ridiculous thing to do and I'm wasting their time. I'm just worried sick about having to find another £4K if we get delayed.

"Associated activities, for example, removals processes, property preparation, handover of keys, surveys and valuations can also take place in line with guidance on working in other people’s homes."

I'd say it's property preparation. So go.

@Joeblack066

Worried sick?! Look if you can’t afford the house don’t buy it. Don’t you realise what the fines are for? They’re to STOP you doing exactly what you’re wanting to do. But you think it’s ok cos you can afford it? And it’ll save you £4k (possibly, lots of other factors). Have you heard yourself? Remember, the virus doesn't move; people do. Shall I tell my paramedic son and his paramedic g/f (who’ve both had Covid) that it’s ok cos you can afford the fines that are there to protect people like them? Or tell my 85 yo neighbour who’s not been out since March? Hope your kitchen’s worth it. 🤷‍♀️

People are so fucking ridiculous. I'm asking about driving to an appointment, at a business that has been permitted to remain open, has booked us in on this date off their own back, to make choices that the builder needs in order to finish building our house by the set deadline on our contracts. I'm not saying I'm going to go and cough on your nan. I'm not saying I should be an exception for the rules. I'm asking whether this situation is allowed, like I have been informed that it is by the company. The ridiculous one here, is you

I would go to your appointment as scheduled. Wear a mask, bring hand gel, ask for windows to be open, and keep some distance from the people you're meeting with.

People do need to move; the house needs to be finished, and you shouldn't have to waste ££££s of pounds by missing it.

But you did ask if you were being unreasonable contacting the Police and yes, you were. Do you not think they are stretched enough without people contacting them asking if they can go kitchen shopping.

If you're going to get cross when people give their opinions you shouldn't have asked the question in the first place.

buying a house is stressful and expensive. I get that.

but what you are proposing is illegal.

I mean - I could use some extra money as having bills to pay is stressful. I know, I'll kill my mother in law and then we can inherit her money and pay everything and have some left over to have a jolly holiday. I wonder if I call the police to ask about this whether they will say it's ok?

Just go because aside from the paltry fine, anyway it is essential travel, we have been waiting for doors from Huws Gray, two are in the rest we have been waiting for, for weeks. There is a shortage, this will only get worse. Kitchens, bathrooms, everyone is behind in making and supplying, you have to go now. Even if you deliver it today do not expect it to turn up in time. Builders merchants are tearing their hair out about the delays which are unavoidable.

YANBU. If the police are too busy to deal with the question, you just won't get an answer. Suggestions of wasting police time, due to asking a simple question are beyond ridiculous! I hope the house purchase goes through OK.

No wonder you’re stressed, if you’ve chosen to buy a house that you can only afford if you complete with the SDLT reduction window. If it might be impossible to find just £4K (I don’t have diamond shoes: I say “just” in the context of the size of a house purchase) then you have over extended yourself. That’s the sort of decision that brings stress into your life.

Come on, if you’re old enough to buy a house, you’re old enough to read the guidelines and make this decision on your own, with emailing the police! 🙄

OP, go and enjoy choosing your new fittings for your new home!

Hope the exchange and completion goes according to plan!

Honestly the judgement of some people on this. about how much spare cash you should have is unbelievable.

Wind your necks in and answer the question asked.

I mean having an additional £4K to pay the SDLT? OP may have the £4K but it's her emergency fund and she spends it then she won't have one.

If he doesn’t want to go, you go alone and chose without him. If he’s not a fan of your choices it’s his fault for not going, tell him to stop being awkward!

@keepgoingorstop I don’t think the OP has it in an emergency fund (and this would count as an emergency I guess!) because she said it would be bloody hard or even - her word - “impossible” to find.

I think she should go choose the fittings 🤷🏻‍♀️ (without emailing the police)

I’m just commenting that she’s added the stress on the completion date herself, by going so close to the wire financially.

Just to clarify:

• Emailing the police did waste police time. They aren't qualified to answer your question, they enforce the law - they don't analyse it and don't know any more than you do. If they bother to apply at all, you'll be encouraged to use your own judgment, err on the side of caution and apply common sense.
• You have not committed the crime of wasting police time - because the crime must be wasting their time by making a false report. So, if you stood in the street all day asking a police officer for directions then that would waste their time but it wouldn't be illegal.

So, yes YABU to email the police but no, you're not a criminal for it.

But @Cocomarine you're not her mother, so let her decide herself if she wants to move house. How totally condescending, judgemental and none of your business are the OPs finances.

Honestly, some posters on MN think they have the right to judge every aspect of a persons life, because they've asked a question.

Are you this forthright in real life, do you dictate to friends etc, how much cash they hold when moving house?

RosieCrumpet My post was in response to a poster who said she could be charged with wasting police time.

RosieCrumpet Ignore me, I see we were saying the same thing🤦🏻‍♀️

@keepgoingorstop if a friend said to me in real life - I’m going for this house, but I’m super stressed because I’m fucked for finding £4K if we don’t complete in time... then yeah, I’d say, “is it worth the stress? If you’re really going out on a limb financially, would you be better off offering on a cheaper house?” 🤷🏻‍♀️

Depends if you like the cheaper house @Cocomarine, I still don't think you've any right to be questioning if the OP should be buying the house. Although I'm sure some random on the internet won't stop her.

Just so judgemental, luckily I don't have friends like you.