As extreme measures are introduced across the country to limit the spread of coronavirus the nation has been attempting to adjust to a new and surreal way of life.
It’s a lot for us all to get our heads around – but what if you are in the middle of a major life event, such a moving house?
In this case, the announcement on Monday of a UK-wide lockdown will no doubt have added a greater burden to an already stressful situation and possibly left you with a dilemma.
To help you make sense of how to proceed, the home movers price comparison site, reallymoving, has gathered advice and tips from its panel of conveyancers, surveyors and removal firm.
Here’s what the experts advise you should be doing for each step of the process….
Exchange of contracts
If you are due to exchange contracts, the advice from reallymoving is to hold off until the lockdown period is over.
This will mean you will avoid a situation where you are legally committed to completing but physically unable to move due to lockdown restrictions.
If you have already exchanged and are waiting to complete, it is recommended you speak to your solicitor as soon as possible to try and agree a new completion date with all other parties.
Rob Houghton, CEO of reallymoving, said: “The enforcement of a UK-wide lockdown will leave thousands of home movers across the country with no choice but to put their plans on hold temporarily and we could see some chains collapsing under the weight of uncertainty.”
He added: “Our strong advice is to keep the lines of communication open between all parties and show as much goodwill as possible.”
Dealing with the legal side
If you are holding off on an exchange until after the lockdown, reallymoving advises using this time to ensure all queries have been answered and as much of the conveyancing process has been completed as possible.
This will ensure, when the lockdown is lifted, you are ready to go.
Anyone who has exchanged but has a completion date beyond the three-week lockdown period should advise their solicitor to speak to the other parties as they may need to act quickly to agree a new date if the lockdown is extended.
Expect delays to searches as local authority offices go into lockdown and cannot physically carry them out. If searches on your purchase have not yet been completed, you may have to wait until lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Money laundering checks, which require buyers to provide certified copies of proof of identity and proof of address documents, can currently still be carried out at the Post Office.
What about the solicitors themselves? How are they functioning in lockdown? Harvey Harding, group managing director of PM Property Lawyers, said: “Subject to all parties being clear and committed, including solicitors, conveyancers, banks, removal companies and estate agents, we will assist in facilitating moves where possible – but subject to our stringent conditions.
“We have great technology and can work from home as if it were the office, but there are concerns around the physical parts of the process, the house being disinfected, removal men distancing, estate agents handing over keys and so on. I would therefore personally say, a delay may be better for all.”
Getting a mortgage
If you are planning to move house over the next few months reallymoving suggests getting a mortgage offer in principal in place.
This is a statement from a lender that they will lend you a certain amount of money before the purchase has been finalised.
It warns there could be delays to new loan applications as lenders focus on delivering payment holidays for existing borrowers.
It suggests you prepare to provide evidence of job security as banks will be checking even more closely than usual.
It is also likely valuation surveys will be delayed because surveyors are currently unable to carry these out due to current lockdown restrictions.
Reallymoving added, if you already have a mortgage offer in place, speak to your lender to check that the offer is still valid and that the level of borrowing you’re taking on remains manageable if your job situation has changed.
Moving day
Guidance from the British Association of Removers is to postpone all moves which were scheduled during the lockdown, except those which are already underway.
Reallymoving said that while the vast majority of removals will now be delayed, movers can still get quotes and choose a removals firm in advance of their move.
Surveys can be carried out over Facetime in order to provide removals quotes, which will take a little longer than an in-person visit. However, these may result in missing items, so you should double check the quote to make sure everything is included.
House hunting
Now is a good time to take advantage of technology. View properties online and do your research into prices of properties already sold, local transport links and Ofsted reports and get a feel for the area on Google Streetview.
If you want to view properties, many agents are offering video consultations and 360° virtual viewings are available if you are interested in viewing a property.
Preparing to sell
You’re probably now facing a period of time at home which you weren’t expecting. Why not use this time to tackle all those DIY jobs you’ve been putting off, such as decorating and gardening to make sure your property is looking pristine?
Hardware stores are, according to the government’s guidelines, allowed to stay open. Be aware, however, some are only allowing access to customers whose needs are ‘essential’, so consider ordering online.
This is also a good opportunity to declutter and box up items which you don’t need on a day-to-day basis.
Create a spreadsheet of all the suppliers you need to notify regarding a change of address and prepare letters or emails to be sent at the appropriate time. Reallymoving’s checklist offers some tips on where to start with this task.
Houghton added: “Those who now unexpectedly find themselves at home with time on their hands, should use it wisely to get all their affairs in order. Do as much online research as possible, prepare your home and garden for sale and ensure you’re in the best position to move forward when the crisis subsides.”
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my moving day is 3rd April, Im ready to go despite one removal firm pulling out but have found another, I really need to know whats happening or make a decision, the legal stuff has held up my move for months and now this, the stress level is at maximum, contracts exchanged all done, need straight answer!!!!!
Your solicitor should be able to advise on exchange of contract. If you have found a removal firm willing to work, it should be ok. Just have to hope the government does not bring in total lockdown.
Hi, I could have written your post as have had the exact same stressful experience then exchanged with a completion date of 3rd April. Removal firm pulled out but have found another. Still trying to get a straight answer as to whether we can go ahead when parties are moving into occupied properties. Wonder if you received any helpful direction? My lawyer says I will be in breach of contract if I don’t proceed!
Hi we were due to exchange on the 3rd of April. We wanted to beat the capital gains tax changes as this will increase our payment by £13,000. We are now being told by the buyers solicitor that they are not doing any exchanges until after the lockdown. I have 2 questions – is it still possible to exchange during lockdown and will the government change the CGT date in light of these events?
Best to speak to your solicitor or conveyancer about exchanging. I have not heard anything about CGT, again your solicitor may know more about that.
Hi I’m due to exchange and complete next week. The property is vacant however we needed to do work to the property, we cannot find anyone willing to work on this and so we are struggling as to whether or not we should go forward or we may end up paying the mortgage for a vacant property we cannot live in. I’m really stuck as to what to do.
If you exchanged contracts your lender should allow you to extend your mortgage offer for up to three months. Speak to your solicitor and lender.
Hi I am in a position where my mortgage offer has come threw and valuation has been done, searches have come back clear no real issue but both side solicitors are refusing to exchange contracts and complete the vendor.is s bank as the property I’m thinking off buying is a repossession property and vendor us keen in going ahead so am i can anybody give details off solicitors firm who are willing to move this case to completion really appreciate if somebody could out
Many thanks
Hi. We were waiting for a offer from lenders. And then we have been told that valuation has not been done but few days earlier we had confirmation number that it has. We were so close of getting offer and possibly moving in this week or early next week. So I have been told that we have to wait for surveyor company to reopen and do valuation for lender as without that they can give us a offer. Can we look for our own surveyor? As we leave in a place that is expensive and limited time
Lenders have their own panel of surveyors that they use but you could ask your lender if you can use your own surveyor.
Hi Andrew Davies, I could have written your post as have had the exact same stressful experience then exchanged with a completion date of 3rd April. Removal firm pulled out but have found another. Still trying to get a straight answer as to whether we can go ahead when parties are moving into occupied properties. Wonder if you received any helpful direction? My lawyer says I will be in breach of contract if I don’t proceed!
The government says you should try to rearrange a new date in the future but if you can’t then you should be able to proceed.
My husband is remortgaging the family home in order to buy me out (divorce in progress), will he still be able to do this diuring lockdown? All ready to go just waiting now.
Remortgaging is still going on
I am in the process of getting survey done on a vacant property, but the estate agents won’t go to the branch to give the keys over so the surveyor. Is this a government restriction or just an individual agents interpretation of the guidelines.
We are in exactly same position as Julie trying to get a survey done but estate agents not allowing access. As the property is vacant then I can’t see the difficulty in following social distancing requirements!
We are selling an empty property and have a buyer who is ready to complete on his sale and is keen to proceed with his purchase. His mortgage provider will not send a surveyor even though the property is empty and social distancing won’t be an issue. Is the mortgage provider being unreasonable or are his hands tied by Government guidelines.
Physical inspections of houses are not allowed at the momment I’m afraid
Hi,
I am currently overseas as an expat and due to move back to the UK in the Summer. I have seen a house I want to buy, but I cannot fly back to the UK to complete the mortgage application. How can I secure the house legally so I don’t lose it… It is a great buy and others in the UK are lined up to purchase.