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Original poster

Completion on Friday - Lockdown - HELP!

41 replies

ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 16:04

We have exchanged contracts and due to complete on Friday. With the news of a lockdown we called our removals who are booked for Thursday and Friday and they said if a lockdown happens they will not be able to move us. Is this right? People I know moved during the last lockdown, is it down to each removal firm?

I am really panicking and stressed now that we may not be able to move and will be in breach of contract. Please help! Do we need to look for a new removals and try and get our deposit back?

OP posts:
lcdododo · 04/01/2021 16:21

I imagine it's up to their discretion

If it were me I would be finding a new company ASAP

JoannaDory · 04/01/2021 16:31

I'd wait and see. House moves have always been an exception so far and I expect that to continue.

Original poster
ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 16:32

I emailed and managed to speak to the managing director he has said if the guidelines allow it they will move us as we have exchanged. I really hope they do, as if not I don't know what we will do. We will call another company tomorrow morning to get a back up maybe.

OP posts:
Mildura · 04/01/2021 16:38

There was no issue with people moving during the last lockdown, so unless the restrictions are stricter than they were in March/April - which seems unlikely - I'm sure you'll be fine.

Oranges555 · 04/01/2021 17:30

We are in same situation! 8pm couldn’t come sooner, really really hoping they follow suit of Scotland and Wales and keep the property market open this time! It really does seem bizarre to close it especially to existing on going sales! I’ve never felt so worried!

Bells3032 · 04/01/2021 17:33

We are completing on Weds with moving on Thursday. really hope it goes ahead. Bit worried with getting wifi etc moved as they are meant to be coming in on Friday!

MinnieMountain · 04/01/2021 17:49

Even in the first lockdown you were allowed to move if it was unavoidable. I expect so long as nobody has to isolate, now you’ve exchanged you’ll be fine.

Chickoletta · 04/01/2021 17:54

This happened to us in the last lockdown. We locked down on the Monday and had removers booked for Thursday. They couldn’t do it because of insurance and their professional body banning it. It was an absolute ball ache. I was pregnant at the time, 2 kids at home, supposedly working from home. DH hired a big van with a hydraulic tailgate and moved a 4 bed house basically by himself. Luckily, we weren’t going far and our buyers were able to do the same. We were due for simultaneous exchange and completion - you will be in a better position if you have already exchanged as it can’t fall through at least.

Chickoletta · 04/01/2021 17:55

@MinnieMountain

Even in the first lockdown you were allowed to move if it was unavoidable. I expect so long as nobody has to isolate, now you’ve exchanged you’ll be fine.
You are allowed to move house but this does not mean that removals companies are allowed to operate.
unicornparty · 04/01/2021 18:03

I'm completing next week but we're doing it ourselves so not so worried about removal companies backing out. Was the housing market closed in the first lockdown?

MinnieMountain · 04/01/2021 18:05

I didn’t say it’s a definite this time @Chickoletta, only what happened previously.

Chickoletta · 04/01/2021 18:17

@MinnieMountain That is what happened last time - it happened to us! Michael Gove was on TV saying that people could legally move house at the same time that the professional body for removers (I forget what it’s called) told all members to cease operating. Ours took pity and came and moved our baby grand piano but said that they couldn’t do any more as they would not be insured and risked being struck off.

StylishMummy · 04/01/2021 18:20

We moved twice in the last lockdown and had to do it ourselves with a borrowed van both times as the companies had furloughed their staff and weren't working Sad

Original poster
ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 18:24

For all of you in the same situation I am keeping everything crossed. We were due to have a packing service, so nothing is packed either! So we will try and get hold of some boxes and hire a van tomorrow if the news isn't great tonight. Let's hope we can pack it all up in like 2 days, with our toddler around. It's just so much stress. We have spent all of the Christmas period sorting and getting rid of the junk we have accumulated. We had another load ready for the tip today but don't know if they will be open either.

OP posts:
Original poster
ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 18:26

@Bells3032

We are completing on Weds with moving on Thursday. really hope it goes ahead. Bit worried with getting wifi etc moved as they are meant to be coming in on Friday!
We have broadband being installed on Saturday. We need it for working from home. I really hope they come and install it.
OP posts:
Silkiechickscat · 04/01/2021 18:35

We are almost at exchange and due to complete mid Jan and also very worried. But Scotland have announced their lockdown and they are still allowing house moves so looks hopeful for now at least.

I looked at March lockdown and looked like then pre exchange had to be delayed, after exchange could complete if essential and couldn't be delayed. Removals a lot seemed to have been cancelled and a lot got man and a van or hired a van, not ideal but still possible. But this time if we follow Scotland can proceed as normal though still wary as rules are tightening every few days. You should be fine as exchanged.

Melliejab · 04/01/2021 19:00

I’m moving on Friday and my removals guy just messaged to say he will be able to do the removal as it is already booked in. He said he won’t be able to do removals in a full lockdown unless already exchanged with confirmed completion date. He is the owner of the business so I have no idea if that’s the rules or his own decision.

Original poster
ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 19:00

I have been looking and it would seem that it's BAR removal companies that can't move during lockdown (well they were the ones that stopped during lockdown 1) ours is a member of BAR so it might be we have to hire a massive van or find another company.

Where can I buy enough boxes from to pack with? We have nothing packed as we paid for the packing service.

OP posts:
lcdododo · 04/01/2021 19:33

@ramblingsonthego

I have been looking and it would seem that it's BAR removal companies that can't move during lockdown (well they were the ones that stopped during lockdown 1) ours is a member of BAR so it might be we have to hire a massive van or find another company.

Where can I buy enough boxes from to pack with? We have nothing packed as we paid for the packing service.

Local supermarkets have loads
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 04/01/2021 19:39

Ask if the removal company can let you have some boxes and tape as a goodwill gesture. They can drop a load off without contact.

Original poster
ramblingsonthego · 04/01/2021 20:10

We can still move! Whoop

Completion on Friday - Lockdown - HELP!
OP posts:
polkadotdasies88 · 04/01/2021 20:10

Just scoured the guidance and you can still move, thank goodness!!!!!

"You can still move home. People outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work. If you are looking to move, you can go to property viewings. "

checkedcloth · 04/01/2021 20:13

I literally could cry. We’ve had offers accepted etc since September. Loads of delays and still not fully sure of the completion of the chain.

Still not exchanged so unclear as to what that means in terms of progressing our move.

I’m a front line nurse, utterly exhausted by covid and the added stress of moving house (and the real risk it could fall through)

I feel utterly dejected.

lockdownguru · 04/01/2021 20:19

@polkadotdasies88 @ramblingsonthego Could you please post the link to the guidance?

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