If you’re selling a residential property, or buying one that you’re intending to live in, the government has issued guidance for what you should do whilst the current stay-at-home measures remain in place.

Many transactions can still proceed. If we’re acting for you in an ongoing house sale or purchase, please contact us for advice on how to proceed. Our Conveyancing Team here at Bone & Payne is here to support you throughout this process.

The government has prefaced their guidance by saying that there is no need to pull out of transactions but that at all times we must prioritise the health of individuals and the public by staying at home and away from others.

If the property is empty, the sale can continue. Removal firms have been encouraged to honour their existing commitments.

If the property is occupied, and contracts have been exchanged, the government is encouraging buyers and sellers to do all they can to amicably agree alternative dates to move to a time when the stay-at-home measures are no longer likely to be in force. If you cannot agree a new moving date, there is an exemption in place for ‘critical home moves’ to enable such moves to take place.

If the property is occupied, but contracts haven’t yet been exchanged, then the transaction can proceed but the government recommends that parties either delay exchange of contracts until after the stay-at-home measures have ended, or include extra provisions in the contract to take account of the risks posed by the virus.

We’ll continue to provide you with our usual high-quality service. All our clients can continue to contact us by email, by telephone or by post.

Thinking of moving home? Perhaps you’re waiting until the lockdown is over before making a start? Contact us for a competitive fixed-price quote.