Who/Where to get Independent Witness Signature

ste_coxy

Hello, my partner is in the process of purchasing his first home and the intention is for me to move in. Everything is going through nicely it appears - mortgage has been approved, a solicitor and surveyor has been instructed but obviously no structural survey can be completed yet until things resume back to some sort of normality.

My question relates to a letter I've received from the solicitor. The letter advises as I am over 17 and intending to live in the property, they require my signature as intent of this. That is fine but it also requires an independent witness and this is where I'm struggling as I live in a rural area. I'd have normally asked my neighbour but obviously with the Coronavirus crisis ongoing, this would be particularly unfair as they are elderly.

I've not rang the solicitor yet as only received the letter today, so was wondering if anyone else is in this situation and if so, what have they done to circumnavigate it? I saw one article suggesting asking supermarket staff but I don't necessarily think that is fair or reasonable - funnily enough it was on a  website called LegalCheek: https://www.legalcheek.com/2020/04/get-supermarket-staff-to-witness-your-legal-docs-during-lockdown-says-law-firm/. Instead of this, I wondered if it might be possible to ask the Post Office?

Any advice or guidance anyone could provide would be much appreciated.

Slinky

How well do you know your postman/woman?

AdrianC

Surely you know SOMEBODY you can ask?

You can sign it 2m away from them - you step back - they then step forward and witness it.

ste_coxy

Just to add that I also need the witness to sign as well. I don't know anyone else in my area. It is very rural and small population. The postperson could be an option but what about the Post Office itself and their staff - would this be something they could do? There's a Post Office in the nearest supermarket I could go to.

rach_k

Pop it in a ziplock bag, set it aside for 72 hours.  Wash your hands, give it a wipe down with a soapy cloth then take it next door and ask the neighbour to sign it (keep your 2m distance).  If they also clean the outside of the bag with soap, they can then open it knowing that anything lurking within should be dead!  

Sistergold

Best leave the elderly neighbours really. You can do all this once the lockdown is over surely? 

davidmcn

What's the rush with getting the deed signed if you're waiting for the survey anyway? The solicitors shouldn't need the signed deed until completion. 

Alter_ego

rach_k said:

Pop it in a ziplock bag, set it aside for 72 hours.  Wash your hands, give it a wipe down with a soapy cloth then take it next door and ask the neighbour to sign it (keep your 2m distance).  If they also clean the outside of the bag with soap, they can then open it knowing that anything lurking within should be dead!  

you miss the point Rach. The witness must watch you signing it.

[Deleted User]

Video call a friend who can see you sign it, pop it in the post to them, they do their bit and they can post it back to the solicitors for you.

Comms69

Literally stop someone you see, give them £5 for their effort. 

Freecall

You could get home delivery from a supermarket and then ask the driver to witness.

So the bigger question, anyone know how to get a home delivery slot?