Will lockdown affect house move?

big_vern

www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2020/3/government-tells-agents-to-shut-offices-immediately
cut and paste that with https:// (I cant post the actual liknk)
ignore the title and read it.

milke44

EmmaHA4 said:

Congrats for those that have made it to completion. We are due to exchange/complete on Friday. We have heard nothing from either our EA or solicitor. I am so stressed. We have things boxed up, mail redirection in place from Saturday and a van booked. Thankfully we didn't book removals so could still move, and think we are far enough down the process to warrant us completing, but we have no idea what position the buyers are in. Sleepless nights are really getting to me now

There's a lot of us in a similar position unfortunately. We've exchanged a couple of weeks prior with completion and move due this Friday. Removals company were in touch this morning to cancel and refund me, however, I have found another company willing to take on the work. It is important to note that the BAR are issuing guidelines and informed me as follows;

 "The BAR, have no statutory authority to mandate a complete shutdown of the businesses of our Members which is why this message specifically takes the form of a recommendation, each Member business must consider for themselves what course of action they propose to take during this period of heightened risk and tighter government control." 

icklesere

I was supposed to move house in 4 weeks time, leaving one rented house for another, totally don't understand how the whole housing market is going to go on hold till god knows when.  I have contacted my local MP for clarification and to get the government to put out clear guidelines, if they say no,its no, but not having a firm policy to follow just causes speculation, my letting agents don't want to come into contact with anyone and all are working from home, and who could blame them...

voorsk

big_vern said:

www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2020/3/government-tells-agents-to-shut-offices-immediately
cut and paste that with https:// (I cant post the actual liknk)
ignore the title and read it.

Yeah.. I thought I'd found a decent website to follow until they posted that bit of scaremongering.  One civil servants opinion is not the same as an order from the government

bitsik

Received confirmation from both our solicitors and removal company that everything is as planed for completion on Friday, also received confirmation from our buyer and seller (we're the middle chain), I hope nothing changes by Friday

big_vern

My vendors solicitors has contacted mine to say they are now waiting for guidance from the law society, (previously, as in this morning, it was a go/go) as they take the view that a house move is not essential. suppposed to exchange/complete friday. I cant now see it happening they have already taken a view and I cant see any law society advice being so clear that it over rides that, if anything I would  guess they will say anyone who has not yet exchanged should be shelved. The others can continue with caveat clauses (goodwill if in isolation etc.). Ill console myself with a visit to the local bike shop and an essential grocery shop instead. Restarting an entire housing system will be like raising the titanic..as with other industries...I dont really believe these ramifications are what Bojo intended but I understand the diffculty in covering all the bases...but they're not even proof reading some of the most important offical govt. documents released in peace time.

Helptobuypurchase

So after being told my house move is on hold indefinitely, I have requested that my solicitor returns my deposit, will they do this as they are now not answering my emails or calls? 

bauldyone

bitsik said:

Received confirmation from both our solicitors and removal company that everything is as planed for completion on Friday, also received confirmation from our buyer and seller (we're the middle chain), I hope nothing changes by Friday

pretty much the same as us except our furniture moves to storage tomorrow and we exchange/complete Friday, im not sure we are doing the right thing but can only get advice and listen to solicitor/estate agent.

aestivus

Looks like we're going ahead too. Apprehensive, but also super relieved (or, hopefully relieved - I'm not sure I will trust anything until the key is in my hand). 

Thaipie

Helptobuypurchase said:

So after being told my house move is on hold indefinitely, I have requested that my solicitor returns my deposit, will they do this as they are now not answering my emails or calls? 

Our solicitor explained that they are prioritising people who have exchanged and due to complete first so perhaps that's why you've not heard back yet. I suspect they are pretty busy today.