Conveyancers in Wales lockdown

kenneth77

Hello. Were moving in England and have a small chain however one buyer of the chain has a solicitor in Wales. Can anyone answer whether they are working normally perhaps? We are very  early completion and I know although Wales have been in lockdown for some time their version is more strict? Thanks 

SDLT_Geek

Here is a link to the Welsh regulations, as amended with effect from Sunday 20 December 2020: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/1609/made  when all of Wales was put into Alert Level 4.  The Alert Level 4 provisions are in Schedule 4.

Leaving home and house moves

A key is a general prohibition on leaving home in Alert Level 4 areas in Schedule 4 paragraph 1:  "1.—(1) No person may, without a reasonable excuse, leave the place where they are living or remain away from that place."

Paragraph 1(3) sets out examples of purposes for which there may be a reasonable excuse. These include examples (g) (i) and (j), where it is reasonably necessary to leave home for the purposes of:

(g) moving home; 

(i) viewing a property in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of the property; 

(j) undertaking activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of residential property;

Restrictions on gatherings

There are restrictions on "gatherings" in Alert Level 4 areas without a reasonable excuse in paragraph 2 of Schedule 4.  Paragraph 2(3) gives some examples of purposes for which it may be reasonably necessary for a person to participate in a gathering including:

(f) moving home; 

(g) viewing a property in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of the property; 

(h) undertaking activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of residential property;

Restrictions on travel

Paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 prohibits travel to an Alert Level 4 area without a reasonable excuse.

Paragraph 6(3) gives examples of purposes for which it may be reasonably necessary for a person to enter the area, including those at (g) and (h):

(g) viewing a property in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of the property; 

(h) moving home;

Closure of business premises to the public

Paragraph 10 requires the businesses listed in paragraphs 21 to 48 to close their premises to the public (though there is no requirement to cease their business).  

48.  Estate or letting agents, developer sales offices and show homes.

davidmcn

None of the UK nations has a "lockdown" which prevents people from moving house (or the work of the related professionals). 

badger09

I concur. We’re moving to Wales temporarily either Thursday 7th or Friday 8th. Don’t see why conveyancers in Wales will be any more restricted than those in England. When possible they will work from home. When that’s not possible, they will go into office & observe distancing.