Lockdown rule - genuine grey area

[Carpetmoffman]

I am unable to work out the guidance here. We have a major refurbishment booked to start in three weeks on our house. Walls removed, windows replaced, doors, new kitchen, bathroom - the lot. I know construction can continue however I’m now confused about whether we can sublet somewhere (which was the plan but we haven’t yet found a place). Who can I check with on this? Any ideas?

Ignore the vote! Accidental

You can move home, so if by 'sublet' you mean rent somewhere for your family to live whilst the renovations are done, then yes, this is allowed. You would even be allowed to move into a hotel, as it would become your 'main residence' and this is one of the exceptions allowed for hotels. However, in practice, finding somewhere which will do a short term let, or allow you to book a hotel room, may be tricky.

Yes! That’s what I meant (brain fail) - thank you

From the Govt website

12. Staying away from home overnight Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed- including holidays in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with.

You are allowed to stay overnight away from your home if you:

are unable to return to your main residence
need accommodation while moving house
need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event
require accommodation for work purposes or to provide voluntary services
are a child requiring accommodation for school or care
are homeless, seeking asylum or a vulnerable person seeking refuge
are an elite athlete or their support staff or parent, if the athlete is under 18
If you were already on holiday, you should return to your home as soon as practical and comply with the ‘stay at home’ requirements in your holiday accommodation in the meantime.

Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may remain open for the specific reasons set out in law, including where guests are unable to return to their main residence, use that guest accommodation as their main residence, or would otherwise be made homeless as a result of the accommodation closing. Accommodation providers are also encouraged to work cooperatively with Local Authorities to provide accommodation to vulnerable groups including the homeless during this period of national restrictions.

Personally I think that makes it clear that it would be perfectly ok.

Good luck with it all!!

Last time round Airbnb hosts were allowed to accept guests who needed to be away from home for work or other reasons that weren't being on holiday, might be worth checking their website.

I think it will not be too difficult to find local holiday cottages, b&bs, who will be willing to sublet to you in the circumstances.

*As your home will clearly be temporarily uninhabitable and Boris specifically stated he wanted work like construction to continue!

Oh wow!! Thank you everyone! You really put my mind at ease! Phew

You are allowed to move house, that was made very clear in the first (stricter) lockdown. You are moving out of your current place into a rental. Is fine.

A slightly greyer area is the extent to which you can leave your rental to visit your old house to eg check on security, answer builder queations etc. I would argue that this is project managing a construction project and the govt has been clear construction can continue. But I would say the while family shouldn’t be going back and foreard between the two places.

Absolutely fine. I’m doing an educational course for four weeks and am allowed to stay locally, it’s the same principle- if you can’t use your home you can stay somewhere else as long as it’s self contained and you don’t move back and forth.