Can you still buy and sell your house during lockdown?

Can you still buy and sell your house during lockdown?

April, 2020

Are you in the process of buying or selling a house? Has the coronavirus thrown a spanner in the works? Do you know how you are supposed to proceed?

Understandably, lots of people are concerned about how the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent government lockdown will affect them if they are in the middle of buying or selling their home.

Luckily, there is some guidance available regarding house sales – specifically, on the completion of contracts and the process of moving to a new house. Though you are still free to search our site to find your dream location, the current advice is broadly that all property transactions should be delayed as much as possible, until further guidance is issued.

You are still free to make and receive offers on your property, and the paperwork can be prepared and processed, but you will not be able to actually move house until after the lockdown, unless the move is deemed critical. The criteria as to whether a move is critical or not only covers extreme circumstances – like the potential for people to be left homeless if they are not allowed to move into a new property – so in most cases, it’s best to assume that a move cannot take place.

You are able to exchange contracts during this period, but a clause will need to be put in stating that completion will not take place until after the government lockdown measures have been relaxed. We advise you to speak to your conveyancer so that they can fully explain the best option for you.

There are only a couple of exceptions to these rules, allowing you to both exchange and complete contracts, these are:

1. The property is unoccupied and, therefore, no movement either into or out of the property will need to take place;
2. The buyer is already living at the property;
3. There is no immediate need for the buyer to move into the property until after the lockdown has ceased.

These exceptions are allowed because no movement of people or furniture is needed until after the lockdown. Removals companies are currently deemed non-essential work (unless the move is critical), and you will find it very difficult to find someone willing to move furniture for you – we advise against you trying at this time, as fines can be levied by the police.

It should also be noted that mortgage lenders will be unlikely to approve new mortgages at the moment. If you have already had a mortgage approved, then check with your provider as to how they advise you to proceed. If your mortgage offer expires within the next three months, then most providers are extending this – so get in touch with them. Most lenders are trying to work with customers to avoid any financial difficulties experienced as a result of the virus outbreak.

If you have any queries about your specific situation, we advise you seek professional legal advice.