Last updated 26 March 2020
Hughes Solicitors is fully operational, with our lawyers working from home.
Property partner Rod Hughes gives advice on how the UK lockdown will affect you if you are currently in the process of buying or selling your house with Hughes Solicitors in Heathfield East Sussex.
If you are in the process of moving house
Please note some firms of solicitors have taken the decision to fully close for the three-week lockdown period. This means they will not progress any property transactions during this period.
Over the next few days, we are checking which firms are open and will advise you on your transaction if this is likely to affect you.
If we are in the middle of a transaction, you should be aware there will be delays to obtaining search results, surveys and mortgage offers.
Exchange of contracts or completion date
If you are needing to move from one property to another on the completion date, at this present time, we cannot commit you to an exchange of contract with a fixed completion date until we can ensure any mortgage funds can be obtained and removal companies will operate. This is likely to mean a delay, but we will advise you separately of this.
Heightened risk of fraud
Please take extra care, particularly when making payments to us that you observe high standards of caution:
- We have not changed our bank details and will not do so throughout your transaction.
- Make sure that you confirm transactions verbally with your original lawyer, and never to rely exclusively on email communication.
- Treat any communications from new or unrecognised sources, particularly any communications that express urgency or require you to move quickly, with the utmost scepticism.
If you have any concerns about your property transaction or exchange of contracts, please contact your lawyer directly, or email info@hugheslaw.co.uk.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since the date this article was published.