Will moves stop if lockdown happens

lm1981

Hoping to exchange possibly next week with view of completing a week later. Have one eye on this covid situation , what would happen if lockdown happens in between exchange and completion. 

Also how likely would housing market be put on hold is exchange has happened and waiting on completion?

Angela_D_3

Didn’t happen last time,  just had to diy the physical move 

Sibbers123

It will depend on how far on in the process you are. If you exchange contracts, then I’d imagine you would be fine. If you haven’t exchanged, I’d imagine there would be a delay.

I would want to exchange and complete on the same day in the current climate.

i don’t see another lockdown happening, the government can’t simply lockdown the country and not pay the wages of individuals. Next on the list would be to replace the rule of 6 with no mixing outside your household. Maybe a short sharp lockdown over October half term.

Sistergold

Exchange one week then complete a week later? Why do that with all the uncertainties? Yes it can still be done but to avoid financial loses exchange and complete same day as better if it then fails there are no penalties! Since you are exchanging and completing soon you might just not be affected by any looming lockdown but as the infection rate increases moving will come to a standstill again as sellers and buyers become afraid to move 

Flugelhorn

Lockdown occurred between us exchanging and completing - main issue was the vendors removals but that got sorted. Roads were blissfully quiet and people we came in contact with were very helpful. There is a lot of muttering about the half term "fortnight" being a circuit brea lockdown and mutterings often become fact these days, so I would suggest avoiding completion at that time as may find removals tricky  

wjr4

I completed on a house sale and purchase during the last lockdown, no issues at all. I just hired a removal company (rather than move things with friends and family to save money) who done the move for me. Good luck! 

badger09

Flugelhorn said:

Lockdown occurred between us exchanging and completing - main issue was the vendors removals but that got sorted. Roads were blissfully quiet and people we came in contact with were very helpful. There is a lot of muttering about the half term "fortnight" being a circuit brea lockdown and mutterings often become fact these days, so I would suggest avoiding completion at that time as may find removals tricky  

Hmmm half term week is precisely when our buyers would like to move in as she is a teacher. Half term week our vendors are supposed to be abroad on holiday. What could possibly go wrong

Actually, I think our buyers are being too optimistic and we're flexible. I'd just like to be in by end of November. 

Flugelhorn

badger09 said:

Flugelhorn said:

Lockdown occurred between us exchanging and completing - main issue was the vendors removals but that got sorted. Roads were blissfully quiet and people we came in contact with were very helpful. There is a lot of muttering about the half term "fortnight" being a circuit brea lockdown and mutterings often become fact these days, so I would suggest avoiding completion at that time as may find removals tricky  

Hmmm half term week is precisely when our buyers would like to move in as she is a teacher. Half term week our vendors are supposed to be abroad on holiday. What could possibly go wrong

Actually, I think our buyers are being too optimistic and we're flexible. I'd just like to be in by end of November. 

suspect buyers are being too optimistic - end Nov sounds better, vendors may end up quarantining after hols (if they go) and that would give them plenty of time to pack

MoneySeeker1

My own best guess personally is the "lunatics running the asylum" might impose the severe version of Lockdown on us all at around half-term. They are clearly champing at the bit to "have another go" (as no-one has yet "hit" them hard enough to stop the lunacy).

Personally - right at this very moment and I personally would be going for shortest possible gap between Exchange and Completion (just in case of "the idiot factor" mucking things up for me). Believe me  - I do believe in a reasonable gap normally between Exchange and Completion (ie weeks). But, quite frankly, by now I've learnt there are a lot of idiots around and they impact on us "Normals" too.

That's my best take on things right now - ie "I'm still thinking straight (ie logically) - but, for whatever reason, a heck of a lot of other people aren't right at this moment and what might They get up to?".

badger09

Flugelhorn said:

badger09 said:

Flugelhorn said:

Lockdown occurred between us exchanging and completing - main issue was the vendors removals but that got sorted. Roads were blissfully quiet and people we came in contact with were very helpful. There is a lot of muttering about the half term "fortnight" being a circuit brea lockdown and mutterings often become fact these days, so I would suggest avoiding completion at that time as may find removals tricky  

Hmmm half term week is precisely when our buyers would like to move in as she is a teacher. Half term week our vendors are supposed to be abroad on holiday. What could possibly go wrong

Actually, I think our buyers are being too optimistic and we're flexible. I'd just like to be in by end of November. 

suspect buyers are being too optimistic - end Nov sounds better, vendors may end up quarantining after hols (if they go) and that would give them plenty of time to pack

Agreed re our buyers' optimism. I've already raised the quarantine possibility with our vendors, but we & they are expecting their holiday to be cancelled.

Re the gap between exchange & completion - TBH, same day with a chain of 5 fills me with dread - but then the alternative of a 1-2 week gap is also fraught. I'll ask solicitor's advice, and at this point, just hope fervently, that COVID doesn't totally disrupt everyone's plans. Been in this house over 20 years, so its a big thing for us.

lm1981

Thank you everyone for feedback.