Help my son move

[JennyHarris95]

Hi there

My son is a first time buyer and his house completion goes through tomorrow. He currently lives in Manchester in shared accommodation and is moving 30 minutes away. He handed his notice in to his landlord before the second lockdown and has to vacate by Sunday.

We live in Norwich, around 4 hours drive away.

The thing is, we planned to come up on Saturday, as we have a spare: mattress, washing machine, fridge, freezer, cooker etc from a relative.

Due to the national lockdown, we aren't sure what to do. On one side, they say not to travel unnecessarily. However, house moves are allowed, and we will be bringing essentials to him which he would need from the start.

What would you do? Would you travel up to Manchester?

The thing is, if he had all of these items himself, he would have needed a removal company and he would have travelled in his van (he wont in ours).

It's a sticky situation, because it's already been mentioned that the lockdown will likely be extended, and he can't live without a cooker, fridge, washing machine etc for a month.

We wont be stopping on the way (perhaps fuel) but there seems to be a lot of fines being given out.

Thank you

I'd say you're helping him move and that's allowed. Although you're not meant to go in other people's houses but then a random removals company worker could.......do whatever feels right for you!

I would do it.

Just do it.

Seems fine to me. Is he your Bubble?

Thanks everybody for your views.

He isn't in my bubble as we live so far away and he has another household as his bubble, but there's no harm in him not seeing his bubble for 2 weeks. I think the most important thing is for him to have the essentials he needs to live.

You're allowed to help people move, look on the gov website

I wasn't aware of this. I know you can move house and "trades men" etc, but not family members helping.

I’d say that’s essential. He needs those things to live with.

I would class it as essential too

@JennyHarris95 well it's does say only do it if absolutely essential, but that is up to individual interpretation and you can't be fined or anything for doing so x

It wouldn’t even occur to me that it wouldn’t be fine, and I’m usually over cautious. Moving and helping moving is specially still allowed, as are trades etc. You really won’t be stopped, and even if the police suddenly had time on their hands, you have a valid reason.

Yes I would go and help.

This is totally fine.

We are having family travel from Hampshire to Yorkshire to help us move. We have young children, more than anything we need help with keeping a newly crawling baby & over excitable toddler out the way of removal men. They are staying in a hotel & will be taking the kiddos out for the day, so not too much contact with others. They are going to help us do a couple essential house bits like get our bed built & the kids beds before going back to their hotel. My nearby parents are back shielding & we have no other family support. I see it as essential, in normal times we’d have loads of people helping! It’s not easy packing, moving & unpacking a large 3 bed house!