Moving house is allowed even though Covid-19 restrictions remain in force.
In March last year, the regulations restricted moving house to only the most urgent and exceptional situations. In addition, the Registers of Scotland closed down the applications register. This meant your solicitor couldn’t register your new title and, as a result, the property market effectively closed down.
Estate agents couldn’t visit properties to conduct appraisals. Surveyors couldn’t carry out Home Reports or valuations. Viewers couldn’t view properties. Solicitors were working from home and the Registers of Scotland was shut!
The property market suffered a sudden shock. Those who were in the process of moving were told to try to re-arrange their entry dates. However, work was done behind the scenes to allow transactions to complete. As a result, those stuck in limbo could to move out and move in.
In June, the Scottish Government allowed the property market to resume operations. This led to immediate pressure in the property market and it took off from the end of June. Prices were forced up because of lack of property stock. As a result, there was competition at closing dates. The market became very busy, despite the doom and gloom merchants predicting a crash. This continued right up and through December.
New 2021 Lockdown measures don’t affect moving house
The Scottish Government reviewed the regulations after the Festive holiday. They tightened movement restrictions. However, where there is a reasonable excuse, the restrictions are eased. Moving house is a reasonable excuse. The regulations say to “move home or undertake activities in connection with the maintenance, purchase, sale, letting, or rental of residential property that the person owns or is otherwise responsible for”. (The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 10) Regulations 2021.
All this means you can still move house. You can view a property you’re interested in (but please carry out a virtual viewing first!). You can visit to view property under safely controlled Covid-19 measures. Property Professionals can continue to look after your needs. When the time comes, you can move out of your old house and into your new house.
If you are thinking about moving house and would like our help, just complete the following form:
You can also call us on 0141 647 9851 or email us on enquiries@cbcsolicitors.co.uk
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