Moving home can be stressful at the best of times but doubly so while we are in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

The latest guidance from the government is urging those involved with home moves is to adapt and be flexible.

During this time, you should seek the advice of the lawyers dealing with your move and get their view on your particular situation.

Contrary to some reports, the government’s current advice is that there is no need to pull out of transactions.

However, everyone involved needs to ensure they are following the guidelines to stay at home and away from other people.

The guidelines say that where the property you are moving to is vacant, then you can continue with the transaction.

But where the property is occupied, the government is encouraging both sides 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.”

Understandably, there is concern that moving home would put people in breach of the new police powers. However, the government has said “in the new emergency enforcement powers that the police have been given to respond to coronavirus, there is an exemption for critical home moves, in the event that a new date is unable to be agreed.”

Therefore, if your chain is unable to come to a new date to move you can proceed with the move.

The government has sought to ease the moving process by issuing guidance developed by Public Health England to home buyers and those involved in the selling and moving process. Click on this link to read about the government’s guidance.

It has also agreed with banks that mortgage offers should be extended where delay to completion takes place to prioritise safety.

For further information, please contact our Residential Property team by calling Zoë Baxter on 01256 854623 or Jon Coles on 01256 845852.

Alternatively, send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]

During these difficult times our Town Gate office in Basingstoke is closed to visitors. However, thanks to our lawyers being able to work remotely, Phillips remains fully open for business and can discuss legal issues by telephone and video conference.

Disclaimer

This article is current at the date of publication set out above and is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.