Buying and selling homes during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
Anna Hughes • April 15, 2020
Anna Hughes takes a look at the Government guidance and the practical issues of moving during the pandemic
The Government guidance that has been issued, states that home buyers and renters should, where possible, delay moving to a new house while measures are in place to reduce the spread of the virus. This does not mean that transactions cannot still proceed so long as they proceed in accordance with the guidance.
So lets look at the practical implications of the guidance
If the property is vacant
The guidance advises that you can continue with the transaction if the property is vacant, however the Government guidelines must still be adhered to in respect of trades persons, such as removal men.
‘Removers should follow the latest government guidance which currently (26 March 2020) state that work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided the trades person is well and has no symptoms or coronavirus (COVID-19).’
If the property is occupied
The guidance advises that if contracts have already been exchanged and the property is currently occupied, all parties should work together to agree a delay when the social distancing restrictions have been lifted.
Furthermore, ‘If moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, people must follow advice on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus’.
Moves deemed critical are currently exempt from the emergency police enforcement powers. However, the health and safety of everyone involved in the transaction remains paramount.
If contracts have not been exchanged, it is advisable to hold fire but ensure all of the paperwork is ready, so exchange can happen as soon as it is safe to do so.
If completion does not take place after contracts have been exchanged due to Covid-19, the parties not completing will be in default. This can result in notices to complete, penalty interest and the loss of a deposit. All parties must be aware of the risks associated with the transaction during this time.
What if an extension goes beyond the term of the mortgage offer?
The guidance advises that ‘All mortgage lenders are working to find ways to enable customers who have exchanged contracts to extend their mortgage offer for up to 3 months to enable them to move at a later date.’
Can properties still be advertised?
Properties already on the market can still be advertised and offers can still be accepted during the pandemic. To prevent the property market coming to a standstill, agents and solicitors are finding new ways to swiftly adapt. For example, we are seeing agents setting up virtual viewings of properties. Solicitors have also been working hard to re-negotiate completion dates to protect their client’s position and to prevent as much disruption as possible.
What if a property is not on the market yet?
Despite offices being closed, agents can still assist buyers and vendors remotely. Although they cannot actively market the property as no visitors can enter to conduct EPC assessments, valuations etc, they can still get everything together ready for when the guidelines on social distancing are relaxed.
So transactions can still go ahead; they may just take longer during this difficult time and must be carried out using pragmatism and common sense.
If you would like to take a closer look at the Government guidance it can be accessed using this link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
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We are delighted to share that Woodstock Legal Services has been shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year - South of England at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2026 . We are also proud to see Bethany Hudson , one of our Consultant Licensed Conveyancers, shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year. With our head office in Poole, Dorset, we are proud of our roots in the South West and the relationships we have built within the region’s property community. These shortlists recognise both the strength of our Residential Property team and the people behind the scenes who support our clients throughout their property journey. At Woodstock Legal Services, our focus has always been on building a conveyancing service that works for both our clients and our consultants. By bringing together experienced conveyancers with dedicated back-office support and the right infrastructure, we aim to make the process of buying and selling property as straightforward as possible, while giving our lawyers the flexibility and support to deliver excellent client care. Our connection to the South West remains an important part of who we are. Through relationships with local property professionals and organisations such as Poole Property Club , we continue to build connections within the property market while supporting clients across England and Wales. Over the past year, our Residential Property team has continued to grow, supported by investment in our people, processes and technology. Our dedicated back-office teams play an equally important role, helping keep transactions moving so our conveyancers can focus on their clients and the legal work that matters most. Being shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year in the South of England is a recognition of the collective effort behind our service, from the conveyancers working directly with clients to the teams supporting them behind the scenes. Car Jermyn Managing Director of Woodstock Legal Services, added: " I’m incredibly proud to see Woodstock Legal Services shortlisted for Conveyancing Firm of the Year and Bethany Hudson recognised as a Rising Star. Both awards reflect the quality of our lawyers and the commitment of the wider team supporting them. It’s great to see the work happening across our business recognised, particularly in the South of England, where our roots are firmly established. " A growing modern law firm As we continue to grow, we are always keen to speak with experienced lawyers who want to work differently, be properly supported, and be part of a collaborative community. Behind every successful consultant is the right firm. Click here to see why consultants choose Woodstock.
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