Can I move house?!

[masterblasterfaster]

Due to exchange on our house this week and probably move in 2 weeks time.
What happens if we are on lockdown when we complete? Will completion be postponed or will we be able to just move anyway?
It’s only just dawned on me this evening.

I don't know the answer but I'm in the same position as you. In rented house at the moment and now not sure when we should give notice, and what will happen if we need to self isolate when we are due to move out?

Also in the same position. Exchanged and due to complete in 11 days. Second in a chain of four. Total nightmare.

Presumably the housing market will come to an abrupt halt.

I expect nobody knows yet, but it will be sorted out.

A story to tell your grandchildren one day. Try not to worry.

Either move or postpone. You should definitely exchange anyway. Plans are changing day by day. Go with what's right for now - exchange

I work for letting agents and don't know if move ins/outs will still go ahead.

I have stopped meeting tenants and landlords at properties as from today.

I'm in the same boat! Praying it all goes ahead still, I'm petrified it will fall through if we have to isolate

Me too. We haven't exchanged yet, should be any day ( offer accepted in November). We are moving to Spain on the 6th April so I'm really unsure what the hell is going to happen . I know it's only going to get worse before it gets better

@teddypops why have you stopped? Are you UK?

Very worrying isn’t it. I’m just going to try to exchange ASAP and then if completion is put back then at least we know we have the house.

Yes in UK.

I'm not a letting agent I'm one of their contractors. Tenants and landlords have the option to attend check outs. But we have said no appointments for now and that they can call us if they wish to discuss the inspection.

What would happen if completion got delayed after exchange? I've seen stuff about interest charges but is that automatic?

Has anyone had any answers to this yet? We're in the same position and really trying to push things forward before we any lockdowns start.

@TossACoinToYourWitcher failure to complete results in interest being due. However, as this is an issue that no one ever anticipated I suspect the powers that be will have to come up with a solution where it occurs but not due to blame on a party or even a bank malfunction and funds not being available

OP, why don't you ask your solicitor?

@MrsMGE I've asked mine and she's as in the dark as me. It really is unprecedented times. We've just been told to carry on as though it'll all go through until we're told otherwise.

Sorry, I should have been clearer - I'm a lawyer, however not a property lawyer. I don't anticipate any property specialised colleagues would have the answer to "what to do about the coronavirus" or what might happen as a result - the situation is unprecedented and we're all the same, no one can predict the future. However, OP's solicitor could work out the best possible solution with the other side's solicitor in terms of scheduling the exchange and completion dates to minimise the risk involved.

We were due to complete today, but on advice from our solicitor via the law society were told to exchange and complete on the same day otherwise if we exchanged and could not complete we would be liable for the 10% deposit. We are trying to arrange to do this on the 27th, as that is when our lender will release our funds, but have heard that we may go into lock down next Thursday 26th, so not sure if we can then physically move if we are all in isolation, would moving house be seen as legitimate reason for being out and about??

If you haven’t completed and due to move by mid next week, I would presume that you won’t be moving for many weeks yet to come and the chain may break.

I’m sorry

* would moving house be seen as legitimate reason for being out and about??*

I highly doubt

We exchanged on Monday . Completion date is set for April 3rd. I'm interested to know why you think the chain will break if completion doesn't occur @Bringringbring12. Surely a new date will be set when the lockdown is removed ?

Because people are losing jobs and economies are diving? Someone in that chain is going to realise it’s best to stay put and not take on a bigger house/mortgage.

Exactly
And the rules surrounding completion will be relaxed to mean that chains do break.

I’m afraid that I would be surprised if it doesn’t break if a long chain.

I'm moving on Saturday do you think I'll be ok. I checked with the moving men yesterday and they said they were still coming. Letting agent said yes I could move. Better ask them again. I really don't want to have to self isolate in this flat cos it's awful - which is why I'm moving!!! (am not in London)

Sat should be fine barring no major developments