In the third of a series of legal advice columns, Sarah Birdsey from Timperley-based Nicholls Solicitors considers whether you should move house at Christmas.
Moving house during the festive season can be a stressful experience. Our conveyancing team often see clients who want to make the big move before Christmas, eager for a fresh start in their new home. However, moving over the festive season comes with its own set of considerations.
The pros of moving in before Christmas
- End-of-Year Deals and Discounts
Some removal companies and storage providers may offer Christmas discounts as demand slows down. This can be an advantage if you’re looking to save on moving costs. Similarly, some property sellers are motivated to complete before the year ends, potentially leading to more of a possibility of accepting lower offers.
- More Time Off to Move In
With public holidays and annual leave allowances, December can be one of the best times to move without needing extra time off work. Having a few extra days at home can make unpacking and settling in less stressful and allow you to get organised at a more comfortable pace.
- A Quieter Market
The property market tends to quiet down over December, which can be advantageous if you’re purchasing as there is less competition.
The cons of moving house before Christmas
- Delays in Document Processing
Although our firm is open until the week before Christmas, many other solicitors, local councils, the Land Registry and mortgage lenders often operate with reduced staff or limited hours. This can cause delays in document processing, title searches and mortgage approvals.
- Tight Deadlines and End-of-Year Pressure
Some clients push to complete transactions before the end of the year for financial planning reasons. For our conveyancers, this can create added pressure to meet tight deadlines despite the slower pace of the holiday season, which can be challenging to balance with reduced availability of necessary third-party services.
- Impact of Unresolved Issues Due to Closures
If an unexpected issue arises – like a title discrepancy or missing document – it can be much harder to resolve over the holiday season, as fewer specialists and resources are available.
Moving during the festive season comes with its challenges, but we understand that the timing might be right for you. Our Conveyancing Team are experienced in dealing with unique demands and holiday moves and ensure they have consistent communication with their clients throughout the process.
Whether you’re planning a move now or in the new year, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
For more information about conveyancing and Nicholls Solicitors, call Adnan Khurshid on 0161 980 6099 or visit nichollssolicitors.com
