How to survive your property move over the Christmas period

December is a popular month to move but with the Christmas countdown starting, you might wonder how a busy festive season may affect your property transaction.

Some things to consider when moving over Christmas:-

Christmas shut down

The average transaction takes about 10-12 weeks but this is sometimes longer, particularly if the property is leasehold or there is a long chain. However, this will likely be longer over the festive period because most firms of solicitors close their offices down between Christmas and New Year. Even if the law firm you have instructed is open during this period, that is not to say that estate agents, other conveyancers in the chain and removal companies will be. Therefore, the ‘average’ time may indeed be much longer so you should take this into consideration if a pre-Christmas completion cannot be achieved. You’ll need to wait until the new year for things to pick back up again and for progress to be made.

You should pre-warn your Conveyancer of your wishes to move before the Christmas shutdown. Although this cannot be guaranteed without an exchange of contracts, it can help to have a date that all parties can work towards. You should also make sure before instructing your Conveyancer to act, that they have time to prioritise your file for a pre-Christmas completion.

At Biscoes each Lawyer’s case load is carefully monitored to ensure they have the ability to progress your matter without delay at all times.  Also, we have a dedicated in-house Locum, whose primary role is to provide support to the team to ensure there is continuity of our high service levels when your Conveyancer is on holiday, unwell and during peak busy periods.

Our Christmas cut off for completions this year is 18^th December. As with most firms, we do not allow completions to be set for the last working day before Christmas just in case there are delays to completion which cannot be addressed until the new year. By having a cut off, we allow for a few extra days to iron out any issues that you may have experienced after moving.

Keep the weather in mind

Another thing to consider when moving in winter is the weather. Although UK weather is unpredictable regardless of the season, moving over Christmas does increase your chances of experiencing rain, snow and ice. Most people dream of a white Christmas but this could lead to chaos when moving. We suggest leaving it to a professional removal company as any reputable removal company will have made allowances for the weather.

Removal costs

Whilst some removal companies might offer off-peak deals when moving over Christmas, some companies put their prices up so make sure you shop around. We recommend obtaining at least 3 comparative quotes and checking reviews before making a decision.

Make the most of your time off work

Moving over Christmas can be a popular time as you might have an extended period of time off work. Moving house is time-consuming so make the most of your free time off work by starting to pack early.

Christmas won’t be traditional

Some people live for the Christmas tree, decorations, lights and family festivities. Depending on when you move, you might be living out of boxes and the house will be a bit of a mess, especially if renovating. Why not consider going to a friend or family member for Christmas instead and host in your new home next year when you’ve had time to organise?

To conclude, moving house in December isn't usually on anyone's present list but regardless of when you do choose to move, there probably will be an element of stress.  We will do our best to minimise this stress where we can but throw the additional worries and pressure of Christmas into the mix and there will be a lot for you to consider. However, with a little planning, it is still possible to achieve a smooth move and have a Christmas to remember (in a good way).

If you require any further information or more specific advice based on your current situation and the considerations for a Christmas completion, get in touch today on 02392 660261 or via our website www.biscoes-law.co.uk.