Jane Finch from Moving etc… has started a campaign to try to do something about the short notice given to most movers between exchange and completion.
Working with Paula Higgins of the HomeOwners Alliance, and liaising with Jonathan Smithers the Deputy Vice President of the Law Society and head policy maker for the conveyancing industry, as well as Simon Law, Chairman of the Society of Licenced Conveyancers; Eddie Goldsmith, Chairman of the Conveyancing Association; Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage Policy at the Building Society Association; Christopher Hamer, the Property Ombudsman and Mark Hayward, MD of the National Association of Estate Agents, Jane believes it's only a matter of time before a solution can be found, and she has even approached the new Minister of State for Housing, Brandon Lewis MP, with her concerns.
She says that she’s not being unrealistic with her goals. Jane knows it will take years of hard work, campaigning and lobbying and working with the property industry and government to cause real tangible results, but unless the views of movers and their clients are represented, no action will be taken to create an easier system.
Paula Higgins of the HomeOwners Alliance said, "We have a member now who is in a highly stressful situation trying to complete on their new home. They haven't yet exchanged and they are trying to book removal companies, but the dates aren't yet fixed so they don't know what to do. There must be a better way."
Over the coming months Jane and her team will be approaching more and more conveyancers and top estate agents, and working with as many influential people in the property industry as they can to find a solution. Moving etc… has already been accepted as a featured partner for Today’s Conveyancer, an online trade news magazine for conveyancers, and Jane will be highlighting the problems to conveyancers over the coming months.
To support the campaign Jane has set up a new membership organisation to promote professional removal companies, so movers can reap the benefits of the connections being made and the press releases being published. Actively engaging the national press will be part of the campaign, so any mover who belongs will gain recognition and work off the back of the lobbying Jane and her team will be doing. Knowing that the issues affect all movers in the industry, Jane has not set high criteria to join unlike some other trade organisations.
Removers who join Moving etc… will be accepted for who and where they are and graded so everyone can be accepted into membership. “There is obviously a big difference between a removal company employing 100 staff and running a dozen trucks, than a small man and van company. Standards need to be raised, but the property transaction issues still affect us all, just sometimes on a bigger scale if you run a large firm.”
“This is one of the biggest projects I have taken on so far, and I know I won’t succeed without the support and cooperation from movers, both emotionally and financially,” said Jane. “It’s going to take hours of hard work, analysing the current system, looking for ways to make changes, attending property industry conferences, and meeting with top officials in all sectors of the property market and government. But we have to start somewhere, even if it’s a high mountain to climb. I know it can be done. Movers just need to trust that change can happen.”
To find out more about the campaign or to join Moving etc… visit the Moving etc… Network at www.movingetcnetwork.com or contact Jane Finch on 07974 185450 for more information.
Photo: Jane Finch of Moving etc...
Moving etc… expands team
Dean Grant and Kevin Willis have recently joined Jane Finch at Moving etc… to help in her campaign to put a stop to the short time between exchange and completion.
Dean was a Move Consultant with NZ Van Lines in Auckland, Dean then went on to work in Australia, New York and Kuwait, before returning to the UK. Dean joins the team at Moving etc... as Membership Manager. “It’s about time movers tackled the property completion problems.” says Dean.
Kevin Willis has spent most of his working life in removals, with companies including Woods of Dorchester, Pickfords, Armishaws and others. Kevin joins Moving etc… as Membership Support.
“Movers need support and someone to listen when they need it,” he said. “Moving etc…’s campaign to the public and property industry will create awareness of our problems.”
kevin@movingetcnetwork.com
dean@movingetcnetwork.com
Photo: Dean Grant