UK international travel restrictions November 2020

Regarding the latest international travel restrictions, the UK government has said that all international travel is banned, unless for 'legitimate' reasons. Obviously a holiday etc would be off the table.

My issue is that I am going abroad to sell a property, and the date of signing with the buyers has been set for the 25th of November 2020, when the sale will be finalised. I have to be there in person and I have booked my tickets in accordance.

My question is, does this count as a legitimate reason to travel abroad, as long as I can present the legal document of property sale with the date on?

Best Answer

Not a lawyer, but I think it makes a difference whether this is a personal or business transaction. If the latter, and you "have to be there in person" then it seems to me to be allowed under https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#travel :

Travel

If you live in England, you cannot travel overseas or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons, and you should look to reduce the number of journeys you make. However you can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including:

travelling to work where this cannot be done from home

[etc]

If however it's a personal transaction, I think you'd need to go looking at the actual definition of that 'legally permitted', which I found here. It seems to me you might have a case under 6 (2) (g):

[you can legally leave your home]

(g)to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property—

(i)visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;

(ii)viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent;

(iii)preparing a residential property to move in;

(iv)moving house;

(v)visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property;

That last one covers you if the meeting is at the property. If it's not, you're looking perhaps at the first one. It's all a bit of a minefield.