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Written by The McCarthy's Team on October 19, 2017

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Our MD Mike McCarthy had an article published in the Yorkshire Post last month around a new trend we’ve been noticing these last few months. The trend of the short notice move!

We thought it might be helpful to include some of the article here as it offers some handy tips and advice for people who find themselves in that very situation. Let’s face it – having to organise a house move in just a few days is never going to top anyone’s bucket list.

The scenario we’re seeing more and more of is that people are selling their homes and then it’s either going through extremely quickly or, despite repeated calls, the seller can’t seem to get a firm answer on when moving day will be. Until, suddenly, the news comes through – and your entire chain is exchanging and completing within the next two weeks.

We’ve been operating from Yorkshire for almost 50 years now, and it’s fair to say we’ve never seen such a trend for short notice moves as we have over the last year. There definitely seems to be a sense that people feel pressured to get out quickly and with no negotiating on dates so they don’t risk losing the sale. We have even had some homeowners calling who have just 48-hours until they need to be out.

Of course, as the largest independent removal firm in Yorkshire, we try our hardest to accommodate even the latest notice customer. We have 15 vans so we’ll always try and work things out if we can – but it’s not always possible. When you have a frantic call from a homeowner who needs to be out of their property in just a few days, with no idea how they’re going to physically achieve it, it’s just unnecessarily stressful for everyone.

We’re seeing increasing numbers of people making the most of our storage facilities to try and get around the issue. Homeowners are using it to break the chain – selling their houses and moving their belongings into storage, whilst they stay with family or in short term rentals. That way, they can be totally flexible with regards to their new house. It means on completion day, there’s only the paperwork to worry about and once they get the keys to their new house they can even delay moving everything in to give them chance to clean or decorate.

There are ways of limiting the risk of being left in a last-minute situation where you can’t find a removals firm, so here is our advice:

• Push your estate agent and solicitor to give you as much notice as possible and make sure that you’re in the loop on plans. Also ensure all your paperwork and financial requirements are lined up and ready to go in plenty of time.
• Make sure you have your say. This isn’t a process happening to you – you are part of it. Tell your solicitor what you’re aiming for. Of course, there needs to be some flexibility in a chain, but you should ensure your preferences are considered.
• Avoid exchanging and completing within a brief period of time – we’ve even heard cases of it happening on the same day. Aim for at least a week, ideally two. There is nothing more stressful than being sat watching a removals van on your drive, just waiting to see if the paperwork and money goes through.
• As soon as you know you will be moving, start getting quotes for removal services. You don’t need a date to get the ball rolling. That way you can have chosen the firm you want to use, and when you are ready to book, that first part of the process is complete. All it takes then is a quick phone call. Ensure the removals firm you use is BAR registered, as they will follow proper process and procedure.
• If you can, avoid moving on a Friday, or at the end of the month. Those dates always book up first, so you’ve less chance of getting a short notice slot – especially if it’s in the peak months of June to September.
• Consider the option of selling your property first, and putting things into storage, while you move temporarily into rented accommodation or with family/friends. We can pack everything from your old home directly into cartons on the removals van, which are sealed and transferred straight into storage at our secure facility, where they wait until they’re needed – whether that’s three weeks or six months.
• Consider taking out cancellation or postponement waiver with your removals firm. That way, if dates need to change last minute, you’re not left out of pocket.

If you need help and advice on a move – whether it’s imminent or you’ve a bit more notice – why not get in touch?