What happens on completion day

Completion day is the day ownership legally changes.

It’s when your conveyancer sends the money, the seller’s solicitor confirms receipt, and the keys are released.Most of the work happens quietly between solicitors. If you’re not getting calls, that’s usually a good sign.

Here’s how the day actually unfolds and what’s normal to worry about.

The completion day timeline (England & Wales)

1) Early morning: final checks

Your conveyancer confirms they have:

• Your deposit and balance
• The mortgage advance from the lender
• Any remaining fees and disbursements covered

If something is missing, they’ll call you first thing. This is why conveyancers ask for cleared funds at least a day in advance.

2) Funds are sent to the seller’s solicitor

Your conveyancer sends the purchase money via same-day bank transfer. This can take minutes or hours, depending on bank cut-offs and fraud checks—especially if there’s a chain.

3) Legal completion

Once the seller’s solicitor confirms receipt:

• The transaction legally completes
• Risk passes to you (your buildings insurance should already be live)
• The seller must vacate

At this point, the sale cannot fall through.

4) Keys released

The seller’s solicitor tells the estate agent to release the keys.You’ll usually get a call or text: “All completed - keys ready.”Some people get keys before lunch. Others wait until mid-afternoon. Both are normal.

5) After you’ve got the keys

Your conveyancer will:

• Pay Stamp Duty (if due)
• Register you as the new owner at HM Land Registry
• Send you confirmation once registration completes (often weeks later)

You don’t need to do anything here.

What you need to do on the day (and what you don’t)

Do

• Keep your phone on
• Be reachable by your conveyancer
• Have ID handy, just in case

Don’t

• Chase the estate agent for updates (they’re waiting on solicitors)
• Book removal vans with zero flexibility
• Panic if it’s quiet, silence usually means money is moving

Common worries, answered

“It’s 11am, and nothing’s happened. Should I worry?”
No. Midday is still early. Chains often complete in sequence.

“Can completion fail on the day?”
It’s rare once funds are sent. Most issues are delays, not failures.

“When can I move in?”
As soon as keys are released. Just remember, the seller may still be clearing out.

A quick note on chains

If you’re in a chain, completion happens like dominoes.
Your funds may be waiting on someone else’s sale to complete first. That’s why timings can feel unpredictable.

Final thoughts

Completion day is anticlimactic by design. If your conveyancer isn’t calling, things are probably going exactly as they should.When the keys finally land in your hand, the legal work is done, and the home is yours.