Do you get your house keys on completion date?

When you're buying a house, completion day is when the money for the house is transferred and you get the keys to the property so you can move in. Find out more about the legal side of buying a house in our guide Conveyancing process explained for buyers.

How soon after completion do I get the keys?

There is no hard and fast rule of when completion takes place. It can happen at any time, but when there's no chain, it's most commonly between 11 am and 1 pm. Once complete, the keys will be released and your new home is officially yours.

What happens if you don't get the keys on completion day?

If so, go to the agents and ask for the keys, it is now your house (contractual completion is usually 1pm). If they refuse to release keys then you need to get your solicitor to ring the vendors solicitors and insist they are released.

Is completion date a key date?

Key Dates are conceptually different to sectional completion dates, in that they are intended to enable the coordination of work between different contractors working on the same project for the same client. Because of this conceptual difference, the two mechanisms operate in quite different ways.

What happens after you get a completion date?

Completion date

This is the date when you can move into your new home. The estate agent is likely to hold the keys for you to pick up. On completion day, your solicitor will arrange for money to be transferred to the seller's solicitor.

What to expect on completion day | Your new Platform home

What should happen on completion day?

Completion day is the final step in a property transaction for both buyer and seller. It's the day the money is transferred, and the buyer receives the keys for their new home.

How long does it take to get keys after an offer is accepted?

How long after accepting an offer to completion? The amount of time until completion after an offer is accepted can vary. Different factors can affect how long it takes, such as conveyancing times and exchange of contracts. The average time is around 2-4 months.

What time do you have to leave your house on completion day?

All the solicitors involved will create completion statements that will set out all payments made. Speak to your solicitor to confirm that the statement and money has been received. Give the go ahead to release your keys and give them to the estate agent. Vacate your home before 1pm.

How do you get the keys when you buy a house?

Once the seller's solicitor has received the funds they'll confirm completion with the buyer and release the keys from the estate agent. They also ensure any charges are paid, including the seller's estate agent fees. The buyer will be notified of the completion, and they can then move into the property.

Can someone else collect keys on completion?

Who can collect keys on completion day? Generally, the new owners will collect the keys to the property on completion day. However, it is allowable to have someone else collect the keys for you, such as a guardian, legal representative, someone with Lasting Power of Attorney.

Can things go wrong on completion day?

In most cases, completion day goes as planned. Sometimes, however, things can go out of hand, resulting in delays. Your belongings can get stuck with the moving company and with nowhere to go, you may have to spend time in a hotel. Of course, you would hate for this to happen.

Will my solicitor tell me when we exchange contracts?

Learn more by reading our dedicated guide on How Long Does It Take to Exchange Contracts. Does my solicitor tell me when we've exchanged contracts? Yes. The solicitor will tell you the planned exchange date in advance.

How long after house completion do you get money?

The seller's completion statement

As the seller, you will typically receive this on completion day, alongside your money from the property sale which will usually be sent via a same-day bank CHAPS payment.

What happens when you exchange and complete on the same day?

Exchanging contracts and completing on the same day

There are some risks involved in doing this and it is essential to be aware of them before you decide on this strategy. Firstly, there are no guarantees that the other party will actually agree to complete when the chosen day arrives.

What time does completion take place for solicitors?

It can be as early as 10:00 am but this is usually where a property is already vacant and there's no property chain. The latest that a completion will usually take place is 3:30 pm, however, in certain circumstances it can be as late as 5:00 pm. The exact time of completion is often dictated by the banking system.

How long does it take to buy a house once an offer is accepted?

How long does it take to buy a house once the offer is accepted? The journey from accepted offer to completion typically takes 8-12 weeks but can vary based on your specific circumstances. Factors that affect the timeline include: The complexity of the property's legal status.

Who moves first on completion day?

Who completes first? The first person to complete is the first person in the chain and that is whoever doesn't have a property to sell – a first-time buyer, or someone who has already sold and is renting in the meantime, for example.

How long after signing for a house do you get the keys?

On completion day, the money you're paying for the house gets transferred to the seller. Once this is done, the seller's solicitor confirms the payment, and voila, you get the keys to your new home. You will normally arrange to collect the keys from the estate agent or, in some cases, the seller themselves.

Who gives you the keys to your house?

You officially own the home once the title company sends the sale proceeds to the seller. At that moment, escrow closes, the transaction funds, and your Realtor® can hand over the keys.

Who calls you on completion day?

Once everything is packed up, lock up, and take the keys to your house to the estate agent that dealt with your sale. Now you have to wait for your solicitor to call you to tell you that your purchase has completed.

Do people move houses on a Monday?

Moving on a Monday

Monday is the second most popular weekday to move. It's usually because any delays on the Friday have pushed proceedings into the next week. The advantage of moving on a Monday is that you get the whole weekend to sort out your packing and get everything shipshape before the big day.

Does everyone in a chain move on the same day?

Do all houses in a property chain exchange contacts on the same day? In most cases, yes, all links in a property chain will exchange contracts on the same day. The completion – moving in – date will usually be the same too.

What is a cheeky offer on a house?

A cheeky offer is an audacious bid way below the asking price, often seen as a bold move to get a better deal without causing offence. Think of it as a gamble where you try to lower the negotiation floor significantly, making it different from a standard offer.

How long between exchanging contracts and getting keys?

Completion usually takes place 1-2 weeks after the exchange of contracts, but it can take up to a few months. Longer delays can occur if: Someone in the chain is renting and needs to give notice to terminate their tenancy. A property in the chain is a new build, as they might not be finished on time.

Can you take your house off the market after accepting an offer?

Some buyers, sellers, and estate agents think houses should be taken off the market as soon as an offer is accepted. This is often done to show good faith to the buyer. But you aren't required to do so, and many experts advise against it.