Scenario: Exchanged and Due to Complete but been told to Self-Isolate

inquisitivewanderer

My partner has been told to self-isolate and we have exchanged and are due to complete next Friday.
Does anyone know what are the regulations around this? I've not yet spoken to removals company or solicitor as she only got the text this evening, but I'm guessing the removals company won't do the work in a household that someone is self-isolating in.
I am also concerned about not being able to complete on the agreed date, and wondered whether we would be hit with penalities as a result.
If she has a test and gets a negative result is she allowed to stop self-isolating?

unforeseen

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/nhs-test-and-trace-if-youve-been-in-contact-with-a-person-who-has-coronavirus/
Still have to do the 14 days

silvercar

How long does she need to isolate for? It is generally for 14 days from when she was in contact with the person that has subsequently found to have Covid-19. 

Having a test in the interrim, will do no good as it merely shows that she hasn’t caught it yet, not that she won’t soon have it.

ss2020jd

From the gov website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Do you have a COVID clause in the contract? You could check with your solicitor as it seems to have been standard advice recently to protect against penalties due to this happening.

GDB2222

Luke221987 said:

My partner has been told to self-isolate and we have exchanged and are due to complete next Friday.
Does anyone know what are the regulations around this? I've not yet spoken to removals company or solicitor as she only got the text this evening, but I'm guessing the removals company won't do the work in a household that someone is self-isolating in.
I am also concerned about not being able to complete on the agreed date, and wondered whether we would be hit with penalities as a result.
If she has a test and gets a negative result is she allowed to stop self-isolating?

If you are late with completion, there are certainly extra costs, but you will not lose your deposit provided you can complete within the completion notice period, normally two weeks. However, if you are in a chain, the costs can be pretty steep. 

Perhaps, you should say what your circumstances are. How many in the chain? Are you renting currently?  Is there anywhere you could move to temporarily, without putting anyone else at risk? (A cottage on the family farm is favourite!)

Your buyers won't want to move in if you have Covid raging in the place. So, I suspect removals won't be your biggest issue.

Is there a covid clause in your contract? In any case, even with contracts already signed, it's possible that everyone in the chain may agree to a delay. 

GDB2222

https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/insights-and-events/insights/2020/06/dont-forget-the-covid-clause

davilown

GDB2222 said:

https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/insights-and-events/insights/2020/06/dont-forget-the-covid-clause

GDB2222 said:

https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/insights-and-events/insights/2020/06/dont-forget-the-covid-clause

That's really useful to know, thanks @G@GDB2222
Hopefully that clause has been used - the person who is isolating cannot leave their current home except in dire emergencies (fire, urgent medical treatment etc).