On March 26 the government published its official Advice on Home Moving during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
It has urged people not to move house currently to try to limit the spread of coronavirus across the UK, saying that buyers and renters should delay moving while emergency stay-at-home measures are in place.
Anne Emmerson, director in the conveyancing department at Wake Smith Solicitors, looks at the latest guidelines for those in the house buying process.
She said: “The Government states that while there is no need to pull out of transactions, we all need to ensure we are following guidance to stay 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 a priority.
“Our main responsibility is to the protection of our clients' money and that of their mortgage companies during this current stay-at-home period.
“Wake Smith is adhering to the Government and our regulatory body’s guidance, meaning that during the movement restriction period we cannot commit our clients to future completion dates where contracts were not exchanged prior to the Government’s announcement on the evening of March 23.
“We know this is very frustrating for clients, particularly those who were very close to being able to proceed to exchange and completion, but it is necessary both to prevent further spread of the coronavirus; and to avoid the risk of delay arising from all of the business uncertainties surrounding Covid 19. Moving house can be stressful and the current situation will only heighten this, but the decisions we have taken as a firm have been taken for the benefit and protection of our clients. We will of course monitor the situation closely and provide you with any updates as soon as we can.”
For further advice visit the Government's Website - Guidance on Home Moving During the Covid-19 Outbreak
For advice on your current conveyancing with Wake Smith please contact the Conveyancing Department on 0114 266 6660 and quote your file reference.