What To Do On Completion Day: Our 10-Step Completion Day Checklist
If you are selling or buying a home, then completion day is the final step in your property transaction. This is the day when ownership formally changes hands, keys are collected, and moving vans are loaded.
While it’s an exciting time, knowing what to do on completion day can be quite stressful. As established conveyancing solicitors in Plymouth, we have dealt with thousands of transactions over the years. We have therefore compiled our 10-step completion day checklist to help buyers and sellers navigate the day with confidence.
If you want to know more about exactly what happens on completion day, then you can read our article about this here.
- Confirm the Completion Date in Advance
Once contracts are exchanged, the completion date becomes legally binding on both parties. Make sure everyone involved – including your solicitor, estate agent, and removals company – is clear on the agreed date. Changing it later is rarely straightforward.
- Ensure All Funds Are Ready
Our second tip for completion day is for buyers; make sure your solicitor has all required funds (including your deposit and any balance due) well in advance. Mortgage funds usually arrive the day before, but delays do happen. Check with your solicitor that everything is in place.
- Pack and Prepare Early
Don’t leave packing until the last minute. Ideally, you should be ready to move out first thing in the morning of completion. This is especially important if you’re in a chain, where delays can ripple through and cause complications.
- Redirect Your Post
The fourth step on our completion day checklist is one that is easy to overlook. Redirecting your post via Royal Mail helps avoid sensitive documents falling into the wrong hands. Notify key organisations (banks, HMRC, your GP, etc.) ahead of time.
- Utility Readings and Notifications
If you are selling your home, be sure to take final meter readings on the morning of completion and inform your utility providers. Do the same at your new home if you’re buying. This avoids billing issues and ensures a clean handover.
- Confirm Fixtures and Fittings
Check that all the fixtures and fittings listed in the TA10 form, which was completed by the sellers at the outset of the transaction, are in place. For buyers, raise any discrepancies with your conveyancing solicitor as soon as possible after completion of the transaction.
- Be Available
Another step on our completion day checklist is to try to keep your phone close and be responsive on completion day. Your solicitor may need to contact you quickly – for example, if the bank has questions or if an unexpected issue arises.
- Key Handover Protocol
Sellers should drop keys off with the estate agent early on completion day. Buyers, be patient – you can only collect them once the seller’s solicitor confirms receipt of funds, which typically happens between late morning and early afternoon.
- Expect Some Waiting
Completion days can be a waiting game, particularly in longer chains. Funds need to be transferred from solicitor to solicitor in sequence through the banking system. Avoid scheduling tight deadlines (like school runs or furniture deliveries) during this period if you can. Completions tend to be late mornings to early afternoons.
- Trust Your Solicitor
Finally, remember that while delays can be frustrating, your conveyancing solicitor is working hard behind the scenes to get things done safely and legally. Completion must be done properly – once it happens, you can breathe easy and enjoy your new home.
If you’re approaching completion and have concerns, always speak with your conveyancer early. Being informed and prepared makes all the difference.
And so, that completes our 10-step completion day checklist!
If you need a residential conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor in Plymouth to assist with your house move, or would like more information on what to do on completion day, call us today on 01752 203500. You can also email via enquiries@GAsolicitors.com.
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