New House and Covid

[GRMA]

Hello, may I ask a random question? If you buy a house and exchange contracts, can the seller then refuse to move because of Covid?

Well I would have thought they could delay completion for various reasons

They would be liable for your costs i believe from failing to complete.

Some solicitor are recommending exchange and complete on the same day to avoid this risk ... has its own trauma

Sounds like someone is wanting to delay completion to suit themselves.

We are due to complete in the next 3 weeks and DH has read that a couple on line in America refused to move and now he is worried that our venders will do the same :(
(grin)

The buying process in the US is completely different
Once you exchange contracts, you’re pretty safe cos whoever breaks that contract would be liable to pay you. Can still happen though

Don't you get heavily fined if you exchange contracts and then don't complete on the agreed date?
I don't know if there are covid-related exceptions, but we did move in Jan this year, and had this same worry. We were the only ones in the chain who needed to move that day (first time buyer living with parents moving into ours, us moving into a vacant property). I figured if one of our household came down with covid, we'd isolate from everybody else but (assuming not bed-bound), still move on the intended date.
It's a worry though!