Moving Home: What Happens on Completion Day?

Completion day is the date agreed by the buyer and seller when legal ownership of the property transfers. It usually happens after exchange of contracts. Your solicitor sends the purchase money to the seller's solicitor, the seller moves out, the estate agent is told the keys can be released, and you can collect the keys and take possession.

Your solicitor carries out final checks, requests mortgage funds and prepares the completion statement. Your lender may re-check your credit file — so avoid taking out new credit, car finance or large credit agreements between mortgage offer and completion.

Transfer remaining funds in good time, confirm your removals company, arrange buildings insurance from exchange, know where and when to collect keys, keep your phone on, confirm utility and meter reading plans, redirect post, and pack a 'first night box' with the kettle, chargers, cleaning wipes and essentials.

Your solicitor transfers the purchase money to the seller's solicitor, usually by same-day CHAPS transfer. Once the seller's solicitor confirms the funds have arrived, they contact the estate agent to authorise release of the keys. Only then can you legally move in.

In a chain, money often moves up one transaction at a time, so keys may not be released until later in the day. Stay contactable and avoid arranging anything too tightly around a specific key collection time.

Your solicitor deals with your Stamp Duty Land Tax return (usually within 14 days) and registers you as the new owner with HM Land Registry. This does not usually stop you from moving in, but it is an important legal step.