Advice on moving during the lockdown
I've put together some information for anyone who have a sale or purchase going through at the moment. I've tried to put in as much info as I can for you. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns you may have. I will do my very best to get the answer for you and ease any concerns you may have.
Last week the government issued guidance on home moving during the coronavirus outbreak.
The news has been suggesting that the housing market has been put on hold, I don't feel that this is the case as your solicitors and estate agents are still working (all be it from home) to progress your sale and/or purchase. There is no need to pull out of your transactions.
The guidance says that we all need to ensure we are staying at home and away from others at all times, including the specific measures for those who are presenting symptoms, self-isolating or shielding. Prioritising the health of individuals and the public must be the priority.
Exchange and Completion Dates
Where the property being moved into is vacant, then you can continue with this transaction although you should follow the guidance [see below] on home removals.
But, where the property is currently occupied, they encourage all parties to do all they can to amicably agree alternative dates to move, for a time when it is likely that stay-at-home measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) will no longer be in place.
This week there was increasing concern that moving house would put people in breach of new police powers, but the government has made clear that, “In the new emergency enforcement powers that the police have been given to respond to the coronavirus, there is an exemption for critical home moves, in the event that a new date is unable to be agreed.” So if your chain cannot come to a new date for moving you can proceed.
All involved parties will need to alter common practice, the government have sought to ease this process for all involved by:
- Issuing this guidance, developed with Public Health England, to home buyers and those involved in the selling and moving process;
- Agreeing with banks that mortgage offers should be extended where delay to completions takes place in order to prioritise safety; and,
- Working with Conveyancers to develop a standard legal process for moving completion dates.
What does this mean for my property move which is scheduled whilst the stay-at-home measures are in place?
- Home buyers and renters should where possible, delay moving to a new house while measures are in place to fight coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Government advice is that if you have already exchanged contracts and the property is currently occupied then all parties should work together to agree a delay or another way to resolve this matter.
- But – if moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, people must follow advice on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus.
- In line with Government’s advice, anyone with symptoms, self-isolating or shielding from the virus, should follow medical advice which will mean not moving house for the time being, if at all possible. All parties should prioritise agreeing amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals in this group, or where someone in a chain is in this group.
What if an extension goes beyond the terms of a mortgage agreement?
Don't worry UK Finance have confirmed that all mortgage lenders are working to find ways to enable customers who have exchanged contracts to extend their mortgage offer for up to three months to enable them to move at a later date.
If a customer’s circumstances change during this three month period or the terms of the house purchase change significantly and continuing with the mortgage would cause house buyers to face financial hardship, the government say lenders will work with customers to help them manage their finances as a matter of urgency.
Booking your remover
The British Association of Removers’s advice is that all moves should be cancelled or postponed for the stay at home period. If you cannot delay your move and you cannot find a removal firm willing to take the work on, you could rent a van and enlist friends to help, as long as you follow the social distancing guidelines.
I hope you found this guide useful and that it has put your minds at ease a little. The long and short of it is that sales and purchases are progressing as normal behind the scenes, the only difference being that the majority of us involved are working from home. The difficult thing to gage at the moment is an exchange and completion date. Please don't worry though, because the only reason this is a little tricky is due to not knowing how long the lockdown is going to last.
My advice for now is to progress your sale or purchase as much as you can through the coming weeks. If the property your buying or selling is empty then you could possibly complete before as long as you follow social distancing guidelines, but if not, at least you will be ready for when the guidance changes and you can then finalise the date to move into your new homes : )
Keep safe xx