Moving house in April. Worried about COVID-19 lockdown!

erosional

Kallb123 said:

We're also due to complete the purchase of a new build a week today. My two worries are the mortgage falling through or the removals company not being able to turn out. I would hope that if something happens with the whole banking system then the builder would act in good faith with our deposit and let us try to complete again.
There's not much I can do about the removals company, I just need to ensure we wouldn't have to pay like someone suggested earlier. 

We are in a similar position. Our main concern is whether or not we can move house during a lock-down in London. Lets just say that the company we have booked are still willing to move our belongings during a London lock-down. Would they be stopped by the police or military or would this qualify as a necessity and allow us to move house? 

Then there are the banks that may not have the staff to transfer funds or who may have frozen all funds by then.

We have a few other concerns but these are the main ones.

davidmcn

The banking system is a necessity and that's going to carry on working - even the latest restrictions announced in Italy last night have prioritised banking as an essential service. Removal companies perhaps not, though I doubt that whatever the next step is in the UK would prohibit them operating.

HappyChappy1987

voorsk said:

Hi peeps!
Like the title says, we're due to complete on 3rd April, but the way things are going at the moment, it looks like the country might be under some sort of lock-down by then. 

Has anyone heard anything about what plans solicitors, estate agents, and removal companies might have for such a situation?  We've contacted our guys this morning, but haven't had a response yet.  I'm getting tempted to buy an old van, in case the removal men and van rental places shut up shop.  

We're having the same worries as due to complete on Monday 30th March!

I have booked a rental van from Enterprise, I spoke to them yesterday and they assured me that even under lockdown they still have a skeleton operation as they supply vehicles to emergency services! Fingers crossed we can actually move!  

renee19899

i'll be moving on the 10th 0f april from england to scotland, we have already paid the deposit and the first months rent which is set to start the day the keys are picked up, a family member who lives there will be collecting the keys to the new house on the 3rd, we cant afford to pay rent on two houses so im hoping we can still move, we do have 3 children and no one is classed as an at risk person, we booked a van from enterprise and will have a family member drive us and our stuff there, 

farryf

HappyChappy1987 said:

voorsk said:

Hi peeps!
Like the title says, we're due to complete on 3rd April, but the way things are going at the moment, it looks like the country might be under some sort of lock-down by then. 

Has anyone heard anything about what plans solicitors, estate agents, and removal companies might have for such a situation?  We've contacted our guys this morning, but haven't had a response yet.  I'm getting tempted to buy an old van, in case the removal men and van rental places shut up shop.  

We're having the same worries as due to complete on Monday 30th March!

I have booked a rental van from Enterprise, I spoke to them yesterday and they assured me that even under lockdown they still have a skeleton operation as they supply vehicles to emergency services! Fingers crossed we can actually move!  

Same here.  We are moving into a New build and exchanged 4 months ago.  Completion is this Thursday. Solicitors are all working from home and say it is business as usual. Banks are transferring monies as planned. Legally and contractually we cannot get out of the completion.  I have watched Michael Gove's quote on BBC and it is not very clear.  So it all comes down to whether the removal company is willing to do it.  

Dancer11

 Update from my boss who runs a removal company. 

Slight back track from the BAR , which says those moving house may well be too far down the process to stop and these moves should proceed but any others should be postponed or cancelled. As we see it that indicates we should honour what we have this week . However if anyone does not want to work then we also understand. 

Windchime29

I completed a purchase on my house on Tuesday 24th having had my removals firm confirm for 25th in the morning saying they would honour bookings in progress.  By the afternoon there had been a change in their policy.  Luckily I am able to stay on in my rental property.  I'm on my own and even if I hire a van couldn't physically move myself.  However, I am worried now about my new house being empty and am not even sure if I am allowed to travel to go and see that it is all OK.  Any guidance on that would be appreciated, as well as what happens with Council Tax and my insurance if the house is unoccupied for 60 days.  Can anyone help?

MysteryMe

How far away is it from where you are? Is it walking distance that you can treat as your allowed exercise?  

shinytop

Windchime29 said:

I completed a purchase on my house on Tuesday 24th having had my removals firm confirm for 25th in the morning saying they would honour bookings in progress.  By the afternoon there had been a change in their policy.  Luckily I am able to stay on in my rental property.  I'm on my own and even if I hire a van couldn't physically move myself.  However, I am worried now about my new house being empty and am not even sure if I am allowed to travel to go and see that it is all OK.  Any guidance on that would be appreciated, as well as what happens with Council Tax and my insurance if the house is unoccupied for 60 days.  Can anyone help?

Going to your new house to check it's secure and maybe changing the locks falls within the guidelines of essential activities. It's part of moving house, which is a permitted activity in certain circumstances. Just take the normal precautions.