Coronavirus: New Government Guidelines on Moving House

The Government has issued new guidance urging people not to move house during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. New guidelines place restrictions on buyers, sellers and renters as well as the wider Industry including Estate Agents, Solicitors and of course House Removal Companies.

So, what do the latest guidelines mean to you if you are due to move home imminently?

Buying and Selling Homes during the Stay-At-Home Measures

We are all being urged not to move house during the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and be flexible. This is to limit the spread of the virus and maintain social distancing rules. If the property to be sold is unoccupied the sale of the house can continue with due care. However, if the property is occupied the guidance is to find a mutually convenient alternative date to move after the coronavirus (COVID-19) stay-at-home measures have been lifted.

Coronavirus Home Mortgage Extensions

UK Finance, formally known as the British Bankers Association, has advised that all mortgage lenders are working to find ways to support mortgage customers. Specifically, they are looking to extend mortgage offers for up to three months for those for those who have already exchanged contracts to enable them to move at a later date. In addition to this, new measures have also been put in place to protect those individuals who are tenants, the main one being that there is a current ban on any evictions taking place during this period.

Follow this link for the full Government home moving advice, which cover the full Industry.

The specific advice for removals firms is repeated here:

Removals Firms

There will be people who have already committed to moving home; where possible we are encouraging them to delay their move but a small number of moves may need to go ahead. We would urge everyone to take all sensible precautions to ensure the move can happen safely.

• • Removers should honour their existing commitments where it is clear that the move can be done safely for the client and your own staff and it is clear that the moving date cannot be moved.
  • Removers should follow the latest Government guidance which currently (26 March 2020) states that work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms or coronavirus (COVID-19).
  • It is important to ensure Government guidelines are followed, including maintaining a 2 metre distance from others, and washing their hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds (or using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water is not available).
  • No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, however mild.

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or any part of your home move, whether this relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or not, please do not hesitate to call 0800 328 9175 or email info@colinbattremovals.couk.