Searches in Lockdown

gab3x

We are getting very close to be able to Exchange contracts pending survey of the house I am buying and getting the local searches done (initiated 2 weeks ago) for my flat I am selling in London and house I am buying in Surrey.

Surveyors have assured me despite lockdown they will continue working but what about Searches - will they still be going ahead??

davidmcn

Why wouldn't they? Like a bunch of other folk involved in the process, they've largely been working from home since March, so will continue. 

gab3x

davidmcn said:

Why wouldn't they? Like a bunch of other folk involved in the process, they've largely been working from home since March, so will continue. 

During last lockdown public sector stopped so many activities. I could not get my driving licence for months. They all just started giving 'essential services'. I worry this might happen again.

davidmcn

gab3x said:

davidmcn said:

Why wouldn't they? Like a bunch of other folk involved in the process, they've largely been working from home since March, so will continue. 

During last lockdown public sector stopped so many activities. I could not get my driving licence for months. They all just started giving 'essential services'. I worry this might happen again.

Well, it won't. Where there was disruption, it was because they were setting up systems to allow working from home. They've done that now. 

gab3x

davidmcn said:

gab3x said:

davidmcn said:

Why wouldn't they? Like a bunch of other folk involved in the process, they've largely been working from home since March, so will continue. 

During last lockdown public sector stopped so many activities. I could not get my driving licence for months. They all just started giving 'essential services'. I worry this might happen again.

Well, it won't. Where there was disruption, it was because they were setting up systems to allow working from home. They've done that now. 

Music to my ears. Might be moving after all.

Angela_D_3

It’s not working from home that’s causing the delays I know about 60 people who are either moving,  relocating near family,  downsizing the whole country doesn’t want to stay where they are at the moment.  Our local council is taking 12 weeks unless you pay £250 in which case it can be done in 2 days 🙄

AdrianC

gab3x said:

davidmcn said:

Why wouldn't they? Like a bunch of other folk involved in the process, they've largely been working from home since March, so will continue. 

During last lockdown public sector stopped so many activities. I could not get my driving licence for months. They all just started giving 'essential services'. I worry this might happen again.

Driving licences are issued by DVLA, who are in Swansea.

Wales locked down harder and for longer than England last time - but is now coming to the end of a two-week lockdown, and won't be affected by this English four-week one.

firsttimebuyerhelpme

We have just had our searches completed - they took 1 week to come back, I know we are not in lockdown as such yet but I would expect that this time people/companies have had chance to improve their WFH processes and/or come up with contingency plans for if something like this were to happen again. When lockdown first came about no one had ever had to do this before so there were likely to be delays. 

gab3x

firsttimebuyerhelpme said:

We have just had our searches completed - they took 1 week to come back, I know we are not in lockdown as such yet but I would expect that this time people/companies have had chance to improve their WFH processes and/or come up with contingency plans for if something like this were to happen again. When lockdown first came about no one had ever had to do this before so there were likely to be delays. 

Wow, that's amazing. Hoping our councils are as fast.