Process

Completion day explained

Completion day is when the home legally becomes yours and you finally collect the keys. It is the culmination of weeks of conveyancing, and while your solicitor does most of the work, knowing the running order helps you plan your move and avoid the stress of an unexpected delay.

Last reviewed 26 June 2026

In short

Completion day is the day ownership of the property legally transfers to you and you can collect the keys. On the day, your solicitor sends the purchase money (your deposit plus the mortgage funds) to the seller's solicitor; once the seller's solicitor confirms receipt, the sale completes and the estate agent releases the keys, usually around midday or early afternoon. Completion typically happens one to four weeks after exchange of contracts, on a date agreed and fixed at exchange. Delays can occur if money moves slowly through a chain, so completing earlier in the day and earlier in the week reduces the risk of being held up. After completion your solicitor handles stamp duty and registering you as the new owner.

What happens on the day

1. Funds are sent
Your solicitor transfers the balance (mortgage funds plus your deposit) to the seller's solicitor by CHAPS or faster payment.
2. Receipt is confirmed
The seller's solicitor confirms the full purchase money has arrived in their account.
3. Completion is declared
The transaction legally completes and ownership passes to you.
4. Keys released
The estate agent is authorised to release the keys, often around midday or early afternoon.
5. Post-completion
Your solicitor pays stamp duty, registers you with the Land Registry and sends your mortgage lender the paperwork.

A typical completion-day timeline

Exact timings vary, but most completions follow a similar shape.

Time	What usually happens
Early morning	Your solicitor releases funds up the chain
Late morning	Money moves between solicitors as each link completes
Midday to early afternoon	Seller's solicitor confirms receipt; keys released
Afternoon	You collect keys and begin moving in
After the day	Solicitor handles stamp duty and registration

In a long chain, every link must complete before yours can, which is why an early slot helps.

Exchange vs completion

	Exchange of contracts	Completion
What it does	Makes the sale legally binding	Transfers ownership and keys
Deposit	Usually paid at this point	Balance paid now
Can you pull out?	Only by forfeiting deposit	No, it is done
Date set	Completion date fixed here	The agreed date arrives

How to prepare for completion day

A little planning avoids a frantic day.

Book removals provisionally before exchange, then confirm once the date is fixed.
Arrange buildings insurance to start from exchange, not completion.
Take final meter readings and notify utilities, council tax and your bank of the move.
Have a 'first night box' with essentials, you may get keys later than hoped.
Keep your phone on, your solicitor and removals firm may need to reach you.

Avoid Friday and a late slot

Completing early in the day and avoiding Fridays reduces the chance of money getting stuck in a chain and delaying your keys. Friday is the busiest day for completions, so payment systems can be slower.

What can delay completion, and what happens if it does

The most common cause of delay is money moving slowly through a chain. Because each purchase often funds the next, a hold-up at one link delays everyone above it. Bank processing times, late mortgage draw-downs and missing paperwork can all play a part.

If completion fails to happen on the agreed date, the contract usually allows a short grace period before penalty interest applies, and in serious cases a 'notice to complete' can be served, typically giving ten working days to finish or risk losing the deposit. These situations are rare, but they are why solicitors push to complete early in the day.

Common questions

What happens on completion day?

Your solicitor sends the purchase funds to the seller's solicitor. Once receipt is confirmed, the property is legally yours and the estate agent releases the keys, usually around midday or early afternoon.

How long after exchange is completion?

Usually one to four weeks, on a date agreed and fixed when you exchange contracts. Some buyers exchange and complete on the same day, though that carries more risk.

What time do you get the keys on completion day?

Typically around midday or early afternoon, once the seller's solicitor confirms the money has arrived. Delays can happen in a long chain, so an early completion slot helps.

Can completion be delayed on the day?

Yes. Delays usually stem from funds moving slowly through a chain or late mortgage release. A short grace period normally applies before penalties start, but it can mean getting your keys later than expected.

Do I need to be present on completion day?

You don't need to attend any office. Your solicitor handles the legal and financial steps. You simply need to be reachable and ready to collect the keys from the estate agent once completion is confirmed.

When do I pay stamp duty after completion?

Your solicitor files the return and pays stamp duty on your behalf, within 14 days of completion in England and Northern Ireland and 30 days in Scotland and Wales. The money comes from your completion funds.

Should I complete on a Friday?

Many people do because it suits work and moving, but Friday is the busiest completion day, so payment systems are under more pressure. Completing midweek and early in the day reduces the risk of delay.

What is a notice to complete?

If a party fails to complete on the agreed date, the other side can serve a notice to complete, usually giving ten working days to finish. Failing to comply can mean losing the deposit and facing a claim for losses.

Sources

Work out your full cost of buying

The planner adds stamp duty, legal fees, surveys, refurbishment, removals and the emergency reserve you should keep after completion, so you know exactly how much cash you really need.

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