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Original poster

Second home - 29th March or 12th April

39 replies

Excited0803 · 26/02/2021 14:02

The guidance says self contained accommodation is only to open for business on 12th April. With the stay at home requirement ending on 29th March, will it be legal to go to a currently unoccupied second home on 29th March to stay overnight, or will we need to wait until 12th April? Thanks

OP posts:
Verite1 · 26/02/2021 14:29

I don’t think we know yet. Official government guidance silent so far. Some newspaper reports saying 12 April, but as far as I can tell, that is speculation. It will depend on the wording on the regs that will no doubt only be issued on 28 March!

Verite1 · 26/02/2021 14:34

My educated guess is that it will be 29 March however as it is the reasonable excuse provision in the regs that mean staying overnight in second home is unlawful. If that is lifted then unless they add a specific additional clause covering overnight stays (which of course they may) it won’t be banned.

Original poster
Excited0803 · 26/02/2021 14:36

Thanks. I think the same, but without being able to find even draft legislation to look at it's hard to know.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 26/02/2021 14:59

The roadmap says that from 29 March: 'People should continue to minimise travel wherever possible, and should not be staying away from home overnight at this stage.'

Obviously it depends on the definition of 'home' but I have made plans based on the assumption that we will not be able to stay at holiday homes until 12 April.

I think it would be seen as grossly unfair if some people were allowed to stay overnight in their second homes when others weren't allowed to rent (or let) holiday homes.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 26/02/2021 15:01

12th April I think as it’s still minimise travel on 29th March .

Sleepthief · 26/02/2021 15:04

I'm assuming 12th April, which is when you will hopefully be able to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation. Until then the stay close to home/no overnight stays rule will apply.

peak2021 · 26/02/2021 17:59

Assume 12th April, which is how I interpreted the changes.

Original poster
Excited0803 · 27/02/2021 10:21

This link says the Travel rule ends 29th March: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary. 12th April is businesses opening up rather than a change to the travel restriction.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 27/02/2021 10:43

Yes, there is some relaxation on 29 March but we are still asked to minimise journeys at that point and can't stay overnight until 12 April.

Verite1 · 28/02/2021 16:19

Where does it say that in the guidance? Not disputing it but can’t see it on gov website

UmteenthUser · 28/02/2021 16:53

It will be 12th April as it is no different really to us going away in our touring caravan, though I guess you could visit it but not stay overnight maybe as that would just be an outing if it wasn't to far away. People will go out for day trips from the 29th though you are urged to stay local, we will be visiting places about 20-30 miles away which are a bit too far to go at the moment

52andblue · 28/02/2021 16:57

Does anyone know when the likes of Premier Inn will be ok again please? (sorry OP, slightly diff Qu I guess)
I live in Northumberland atm and local caravan site owners are fairly rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of the 12th April!

UmteenthUser · 28/02/2021 17:02

I think Premier inn comes under hotels which is May 17th, it's only self contained places in April which means no shared indoor facilities

52andblue · 28/02/2021 17:03

thanks @UmteenthUser

UmteenthUser · 28/02/2021 17:22

There will probably be traffic jams on the 12th of caravans, mororhomes, 2nd homers and families going to holiday lets, isn't it still school holidays then, I'm glad we booked to go on the 13th, hopefully will miss the rush

Verite1 · 28/02/2021 17:26

I still can’t see it in guidance. The report linked is a newspaper report so just speculation. It could be 12 April but I still think actual legislation will permit it from 29 March. Guidance may advise against it of course but that is a separate issue.

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 17:48

@Verite1 you know that unless it's an opinion piece, newspapers are required to report facts? This is not an opinion piece and is being reported in all broadsheet newspapers...

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 17:51

But I guess time will tell. I'm pinning my hopes on 12th April

Verite1 · 28/02/2021 17:53

But it’s all speculation until the legislation has been published isn’t it. That’s the point.

Verite1 · 28/02/2021 17:55

And newspaper report “facts” incorrectly all the time! You would be incredibly naive/gullible to believe otherwise.

Katie517 · 28/02/2021 17:57

If it’s minimise journeys from 29th March then that is at your discretion. If you make one journey to your second home I think that’s fine. No point waiting for the legislation as anything about minimizing travel or stay local is guidance only

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 17:59

But it's not based on rumour or hearsay, it's reporting what the government announced at their press briefing last Monday when they laid out the plans for the roadmap out of lockdown, so it's not really speculation. Of course knowing this lot they might slip something unexpected into the guidance, but that could go either way! As it stands the government have clearly said overnight stays will not be permitted until 12th April at the earliest. Anything else really is speculation.

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 18:01

Yes, they might get things wrong, but not usually across all broadsheets. And when they get things wrong they are expected to print a retraction/apology. I used to work in journalism. There is a huge difference between an opinion piece and a news report.

Sleepthief · 28/02/2021 18:02

Anyway, as I say, you can speculate and hope for 29th March, I'm expecting it to be 12th April. I'd be delighted to be wrong!