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Stage 9 of 10Get the keys·Two to five weeks (exchange to completion)

Completion day in the UK — what happens and how to prepare

How completion day works hour by hour, what your solicitor does behind the scenes, and the checklist to take with you when you pick up the keys.

Typical timescale
Two to five weeks (exchange to completion)
Approximate cost
Final balance + removals £400–£1,500
When in the journey
Phase 4 of 4 — Get the keys

What happens at this stage

Solicitor produces a completion statement. You sign the transfer deed. On the day, mortgage funds are drawn, the seller's solicitor receives the money, and you get the keys (typically around midday).

What to do, in order

  1. 1Book removals at least two weeks out.
  2. 2Pack rooms one at a time, label everything.
  3. 3On the day: photograph meters, check every key works.

Watch out for

  • Bank transfer cut-off times on completion day.
  • Missing the final viewing the day before — check fixtures.
  • Forgetting to take photos of meter readings on move-in day.

Who you'll need at this stage

Sample selection — your live dashboard will show postcode-matched providers with up-to-date prices.

Solicitors

  • Aurora Legal

    London · 4.8★ · On all major lender panels.

    £1,150 fixed

  • Greenfield & Co.

    Manchester · 4.7★ · 14-day average exchange.

    £985 fixed

  • Coastline Conveyancing

    Bristol · 4.6★ · Specialists in leasehold.

    £1,290 fixed

Frequently asked

What time do you get the keys on completion day?
Usually around midday once the funds clear, though it can be earlier or later. The seller's solicitor releases the keys to the estate agent as soon as the money lands in their account.
Do I need to be present on completion day?
Not necessarily — your solicitor handles the legal paperwork. But you'll want to be there to collect keys, check the property, and oversee the move.

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Last updated: 1 July 2026 · Clinkeys is not a regulated advisor. For binding decisions, always confirm with a solicitor, broker, or surveyor.