CORONAVIRUS
STEPS WE ARE TAKING
TO KEEP YOUR MOVE GOING

Summary of Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, published 26 March 2020.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

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“There is no need to pull out of transactions”.

Vacant properties - You can continue with this transaction.

Occupied properties – Try to agree alternative dates if possible, and if unable to, then there is an exemption from the emergency enforcement powers for critical home moves, in the event that a new date is unable to be agreed.

Mortgage offers – The Government are agreeing with banks that mortgage offers should be extended where delay to completions takes place in order to prioritise safety.

Mortgage lenders are working to find ways to enable customers who have exchanged contracts to extend their mortgage offer for up to three months to enable them to move at a later date.

Exchanged contracts - If you have already exchanged contracts and the property is currently occupied then all parties should work together to agree a delay or another way to resolve this matter.
 
If moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons - Follow advice on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus (2m rule and wash hands).

Ideally, aim to prioritise amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals who have symptoms or are self-isolating (but you can still move).

Removals Firms - 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. No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, however mild.

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This page aims to explain the steps we are taking to ensure continuity of service throughout this difficult Coronavirus period.

STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN
We have the ability for all staff to work from home.	We use a Cloud based system and all staff can log on from home, and see the same ‘PC Desktop’ that they would normally see at work.
If Conveyancers are working from home, clients can still ring their Conveyancer. (But EMAIL is preferable).	We have ‘work mobiles’ for each Conveyancer, who can then be contacted if the Conveyancer is self-isolating. In the first instance, please EMAIL your Conveyancer who will be able to provide a contact work mobile number for emergencies only. Email is the preferred method of contact during this difficult period, as it will enable Conveyancers to focus on working on the right thing at the right time - thank you for your understanding.
Sickness cover.	We have extra staff whose jobs it is to cover holidays and sickness.
Escalation process.	As well as our normal escalation process (via the smiley / sad faces at the end of emails), you can also contact the Managing Director (Peter Effard) directly on: 07917 680 955.  Peter will help to smooth out any potential concerns you may have during this Coronavirus period.
Visiting the office. ​Using Skype / Facetime etc.	We will do our very best to ensure that we have staff available for visits to the office. However, due to temporary self-isolation / working from home approaches, this may be more of a challenge. We work in a Serviced Office that normally has a Reception desk. There is always one person there (normally) but this may not be possible during the Coronavirus period. If there is no-one at reception, please call our main office number (0191 404 6809). Another option is to use Facetime / Skype etc, and if you wish to do this, please let your Fee Earner know this in advance.