Moving Day Explained: What Happens on the Day of Completion?

For many people, the day they move house is exciting but also slightly confusing. Clients often ask what actually happens on the day of completion, particularly how the money moves between solicitors and when they will be able to collect the keys.

Although moving day can feel busy and sometimes uncertain, the legal process behind the scenes is carefully organised. Understanding what happens during the day can help make the experience feel much smoother.

What does “completion” mean?

Completion is the point at which the purchase of a property becomes legally final. On this day the buyer’s solicitor sends the remaining purchase funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once those funds have been received, ownership of the property officially transfers from the seller to the buyer.

After this confirmation is given, the buyer can collect the keys and move into the property.

What happens on the morning of completion?

On the morning of completion, the buyer’s solicitor arranges for the purchase money to be transferred to the seller’s solicitor. This money will normally include the buyer’s mortgage funds and the balance of the purchase price.

The payment is usually made through a secure bank transfer between the solicitors’ firms. Once the seller’s solicitor receives the funds and confirms everything is in order, the transaction can complete.

At that moment, the legal ownership of the property changes.

When can the keys be collected?

Once completion has taken place, the seller’s solicitor will confirm this to the estate agent involved in the transaction. The estate agent will then be authorised to release the keys to the buyer.

This is usually the point when buyers receive the message they have been waiting for and can collect the keys to their new home.

Why completion times can vary

One of the most common questions clients ask is what time completion will happen. While everyone hopes for an early completion, the exact timing can vary.

This is because several steps must take place first, including the transfer of funds between solicitors and confirmation that everything has been received correctly. If the transaction is part of a property chain, several purchases and sales may need to complete in sequence.

For this reason, completion often takes place late in the morning or early afternoon rather than first thing in the day.

What buyers should expect on moving day

Buyers are usually advised to wait until they receive confirmation that completion has taken place before travelling to the property or arranging to collect the keys.

Many buyers organise their removals so that the moving process can begin once completion has been confirmed. While it can require a little patience, this helps avoid unnecessary stress if there are any small delays during the morning.

What sellers should expect on moving day

Sellers are generally expected to vacate the property before completion takes place. Keys are usually left with the estate agent so they can be handed over to the buyer once the transaction has completed.

Once the seller’s solicitor confirms receipt of the funds, the seller’s part of the transaction is finished.

A carefully managed process

Although moving day can feel uncertain while waiting for confirmation, the legal steps involved are well established. Solicitors coordinate the transfer of funds and ensure that everything takes place in the correct order so that ownership can pass smoothly from one party to another.

At Edward Harte Solicitors, we understand that buying or selling a home is one of the most important transactions many people will make. Our conveyancing team works carefully to keep the process moving and to guide clients through each stage so that completion day runs as smoothly as possible.

If you are buying or selling a property and would like advice about the conveyancing process, our team would be happy to help.

The content on this blog is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific advice should be obtained in relation to your particular circumstances. No solicitor–client relationship is created by your use of this site or contact via it. Content is provided ‘as is’ and may not reflect the most current legal developments. Please contact us if you require any further information.