What Happens After Exchange: Seller's Checklist
Everything you need to do between exchange of contracts and completion day as a seller in England and Wales.
What you need to know
After exchanging contracts, sellers must book removals, maintain buildings insurance, notify utility providers, set up Royal Mail redirection, sign the transfer deed, take final meter readings, and prepare the property for handover. This checklist covers every step week by week so nothing is missed between exchange and completion day.
- Exchange makes the sale legally binding — use the time before completion to handle practical moving tasks in a structured order.
- Keep your buildings insurance in place until completion day, as the property remains at your risk under the Standard Conditions of Sale.
- Book removals immediately after exchange, especially for Friday completions when firms fill up fast.
- Sign and return the transfer deed (TR1) to your solicitor promptly — delays here can hold up the entire completion.
- Take final meter readings on completion morning and photograph them as evidence for accurate final bills.
Pine handles the legal prep so you don't have to.
Check your sale readinessExchanging contracts is the moment your property sale becomes legally binding. The buyer is committed, the deposit has been paid, and a completion date is fixed. But exchange is not the finish line — there is a window of typically one to four weeks before completion day, and how you use that time matters.
This guide provides a complete checklist of everything you need to do as a seller between exchange and completion in England and Wales. It covers the legal steps your solicitor handles, the practical tasks that fall to you, and a week-by-week breakdown so nothing slips through the cracks. For a broader overview of the exchange-to-completion period, see our guide on what happens between exchange and completion.
What your solicitor does immediately after exchange
As soon as contracts are exchanged, your solicitor sets a series of legal and financial processes in motion. Understanding these helps you know what to expect and when to respond.
- Prepares the transfer deed (TR1): This is the legal document that transfers ownership of the property from you to the buyer. Your solicitor drafts it and sends it to you for signing. You must sign and return it before completion can proceed.
- Requests a mortgage redemption statement: If you have an outstanding mortgage, your solicitor contacts your lender to obtain the exact figure needed to repay it on the completion date. This figure changes daily due to interest accrual, so the statement is date-specific.
- Prepares the completion statement: This document sets out exactly how the sale proceeds will be distributed — the sale price minus your mortgage redemption, solicitor's fees, estate agent's commission, and any other agreed deductions. The balance is what you receive.
- Responds to pre-completion requisitions: The buyer's solicitor raises standard pre-completion queries confirming practical matters such as vacant possession, key arrangements, and any outstanding undertakings.
- Arranges key release protocol: Your solicitor confirms with the estate agent how and where the keys will be released to the buyer once completion funds are received.
Your main responsibility during this phase is to respond quickly to anything your solicitor sends you, particularly the transfer deed. Delays in returning signed documents can push back the completion.
Week-by-week seller checklist
The gap between exchange and completion is most commonly two weeks, though it can range from one to four weeks depending on the transaction. The checklist below assumes a standard two-week gap. If your gap is shorter, compress the timeline accordingly. If longer, spread the tasks out but aim to complete the critical items in the first week.
Week 1: Immediate actions after exchange
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm completion date | Verify the agreed date with your solicitor, estate agent, and any chain participants. Note it in writing. | Immediate |
| Book removal company | If not already booked provisionally, confirm now. Friday completions fill up weeks in advance. Get written confirmation of the date, time, and cost. | Immediate |
| Confirm buildings insurance | Contact your insurer to confirm cover remains in place until completion. Do not cancel early — the property remains at your risk. | Immediate |
| Sign and return transfer deed (TR1) | Your solicitor will send this for signature. Sign it and return it as soon as possible. Your signature may need witnessing. | Within 2-3 days |
| Review completion statement | Check every line of the financial breakdown your solicitor provides. Query any figures you do not recognise before completion, not after. | Within 3-4 days |
| Set up Royal Mail redirection | Apply online at royalmail.com or at a Post Office. Redirects cost from around £37 for three months. Allow at least five working days for activation. | Within 3-5 days |
| Notify utility providers | Contact gas, electricity, water, broadband, and phone providers with your moving date and new address. Do not disconnect — the buyer takes over the supply. | Within first week |
| Notify council tax | Contact your local authority to close your council tax account for the property from the completion date. | Within first week |
For a full explanation of what happens on exchange day itself, see our guide on exchange of contracts explained for sellers.
Week 2: Final preparations
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Continue packing | Pack non-essential rooms first. Label boxes by room for your new property. Set aside items you will need on completion day (kettle, cleaning supplies, phone charger). | Ongoing |
| Review TA10 fittings list | Check the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form agreed before exchange. Confirm everything listed as 'included' will remain and everything 'excluded' will be removed. | Important |
| Arrange key handover | Confirm with your estate agent how and where keys will be released on completion day. Collect all sets of keys including garage, shed, and window lock keys. | Important |
| Prepare property documentation | Gather boiler manuals, appliance instructions, alarm codes, warranty certificates, and any relevant planning or building control documents to leave for the buyer. | Before completion |
| Cancel regular deliveries | Redirect or cancel any newspaper, milk, or subscription box deliveries to the property address. | Before completion |
| Notify other organisations | Update your address with your bank, GP, dentist, employer, DVLA, electoral register, insurance providers, and subscription services. | Before or after completion |
Completion day: your final checklist
Completion day is when the remaining purchase funds are transferred, the keys are released, and the property officially changes hands. For a detailed walkthrough of the full day, see our guide on what happens on completion day for the seller.
Morning tasks
- Take final meter readings: Read your gas, electricity, and water meters first thing. Photograph each meter with its reading clearly visible. Note the date and time.
- Do a final walkthrough: Check every room, cupboard, loft, garage, and garden shed. Make sure you have removed all personal belongings and left everything that was agreed in the TA10.
- Clean the property: While there is no legal obligation to leave the property spotless, it is standard practice to leave it in a reasonable condition. At minimum, clear any rubbish and give surfaces a wipe down.
- Lock all windows and doors: Secure the property before you leave. Check that all windows are closed and locked.
Key handover
You will have agreed in advance where to leave the keys. The most common arrangement is to drop them with the estate agent, who releases them to the buyer once your solicitor confirms that completion funds have been received. In some cases, particularly where there is no estate agent involved, keys are handed directly to the buyer or left with a neighbour by agreement.
Do not release keys before your solicitor confirms receipt of funds. Handing over keys early, even by a few hours, means the buyer could take possession before you have been paid. Your solicitor will call you as soon as the money arrives.
After funds are confirmed
Once your solicitor confirms receipt of the completion funds, the following happens:
- Your solicitor repays your outstanding mortgage from the sale proceeds.
- The estate agent's commission is paid from the proceeds.
- Your solicitor deducts their own fees and any agreed disbursements.
- The remaining balance is transferred to your bank account, usually on the same day or the next working day.
Insurance considerations between exchange and completion
One of the most common mistakes sellers make is cancelling their buildings insurance too early. Under the Standard Conditions of Sale (6th Edition), the risk in the property remains with the seller until completion. This means that if a fire, flood, subsidence event, or any other damage occurs between exchange and completion, you are responsible.
Your buildings insurance should remain active until your solicitor confirms that completion has taken place and funds have been received. Only then should you contact your insurer to cancel the policy or transfer it to your new property. If you are moving to a new home, it is worth arranging overlap cover so your new property is insured from the date you complete on that purchase.
Contents insurance typically runs until you have removed your belongings from the property. If your contents are split between the old and new property during the moving process, check with your insurer about transit cover.
Mortgage redemption arrangements
If you have an outstanding mortgage on the property, your solicitor will handle the redemption (repayment) as part of the completion process. Here is what you should know:
- Redemption statement: Your solicitor requests this from your lender after exchange. It shows the exact amount needed to clear the mortgage on the completion date, including any accrued interest and early repayment charges.
- Early repayment charges: If your mortgage product has an early repayment charge (common with fixed-rate deals), this will be included in the redemption figure. Check your mortgage terms if you are unsure.
- Repayment on completion: Your solicitor repays the mortgage directly from the sale proceeds on completion day. The lender then releases the charge on the property title, which allows the buyer to register as the new owner at HM Land Registry.
- Overpayments or underpayments: Because the redemption figure is calculated to a specific date, any delay in completion could mean the figure changes. Your solicitor will obtain an updated statement if needed.
Fixtures and fittings obligations
What you can and cannot remove from the property is governed by the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form, which you completed before exchange. This form lists every item in the property and marks it as included in the sale, excluded, or available by separate negotiation.
Items listed as included must remain in the property at completion. This typically covers fitted carpets, curtain poles (though not always the curtains themselves), light fittings, built-in wardrobes, and kitchen appliances such as ovens and hobs that are fitted. Items listed as excluded must be removed — leaving them behind could be seen as fly-tipping if the buyer does not want them.
If you are uncertain about any item, refer back to your signed TA10 form or ask your solicitor. Disputes over fittings are one of the most common causes of post-completion complaints, and the buyer could claim compensation if items agreed as included are missing.
Common problems between exchange and completion
While the period after exchange is far more secure than before it, problems can still arise. Being aware of the most common issues helps you deal with them quickly. For a deeper look at potential issues, see our guide on delays between exchange and completion.
Removal company issues
Last-minute cancellations by removal firms, or underestimating packing time, can leave you unable to vacate on time. Mitigate this by booking a reputable firm with positive reviews, getting written confirmation of the booking, and starting packing well in advance. Have a contingency plan — know the cost of hiring a van at short notice.
Chain delays
If you are in a property chain and another transaction in the chain hits a problem, your completion could be delayed even though you are fully prepared. Common causes include a buyer further down the chain having mortgage issues, or a seller elsewhere in the chain not being ready to vacate. The contract provides for penalty interest to be paid by the party causing the delay.
Property damage
If the property suffers damage between exchange and completion— for example, from a burst pipe, storm, or vandalism — you must inform your solicitor and your insurer immediately. Depending on the severity, you may need to arrange repairs before completion or negotiate a price reduction with the buyer. In extreme cases, the buyer may have the right to withdraw.
Buyer requesting a delay
Occasionally, a buyer may ask to postpone the completion date after exchange. You are under no obligation to agree. If you do agree to a new date, it must be formalised in writing through both solicitors. If the buyer simply fails to complete on the agreed date, your solicitor can serve a notice to complete, giving the buyer 10 working days to finalise the purchase. Failure to comply allows you to rescind the contract and keep the deposit.
Preparing for exchange day itself
If you have not yet exchanged and want to understand what to expect on the day, our guide on how to prepare for exchange day covers everything from signing the contract to what your solicitor does during the exchange telephone call. Being well prepared for exchange means the post-exchange period runs more smoothly.
Printable post-exchange checklist summary
Here is a condensed version of the full checklist for quick reference:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Exchange day | Confirm completion date; book removals; confirm buildings insurance |
| Days 1–3 | Sign and return TR1; set up Royal Mail redirect; notify utility providers and council tax |
| Days 4–7 | Review completion statement; start packing non-essentials; check TA10 fittings list |
| Days 8–12 | Confirm key handover arrangements; gather manuals and codes; cancel deliveries; update address with banks, DVLA, GP |
| Day before completion | Finish packing; prepare meters for reading; gather all keys |
| Completion morning | Take and photograph meter readings; final walkthrough; clean property; lock up |
| After funds confirmed | Release keys via estate agent; cancel buildings insurance; await net proceeds transfer |
Sources and further reading
- The Law Society — Standard Conditions of Sale (6th Edition), conveyancing protocol, and exchange formulas (lawsociety.org.uk)
- HM Land Registry — TR1 transfer deed guidance, title registration, and property ownership records (gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry)
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — Client account rules for holding deposits and completion funds (sra.org.uk)
- Royal Mail — Redirection service for individuals moving home, pricing and application process (royalmail.com)
- Gov.uk — Guidance on buying and selling property, council tax, and DVLA address changes (gov.uk)
- RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) — Home surveys, property valuation standards, and consumer guidance (rics.org)
- HomeOwners Alliance — Consumer guidance on the conveyancing process, exchange, and completion (hoa.org.uk)
- Propertymark — Estate agent professional body and market data (propertymark.co.uk)
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing I should do after exchanging contracts?
The first thing to do after exchanging contracts is confirm the completion date with your solicitor and estate agent, then immediately book a removal company if you have not already done so. Removal firms fill up quickly, especially for Friday completions. You should also confirm that your buildings insurance remains in place until completion day. Your solicitor will begin preparing the transfer deed and obtaining your mortgage redemption figure, but the practical arrangements for moving out are your responsibility.
Do I need to keep my buildings insurance after exchange?
Yes, you should maintain your buildings insurance right up until completion day. Under the Standard Conditions of Sale (6th Edition), the risk in the property remains with the seller until completion. If the property were damaged by fire, flooding, or storm between exchange and completion and you had cancelled your insurance, you could face serious financial consequences. Most solicitors strongly advise sellers to keep cover in place until their solicitor confirms that completion funds have been received.
How do I set up Royal Mail redirection when moving house?
You can set up Royal Mail redirection online at royalmail.com or at any Post Office branch. The service costs from around £37 for three months (as of 2025) and forwards all post addressed to you at your old address to your new one. You should set this up at least five working days before your completion date to ensure it is active when you move out. You can redirect for up to 12 months, with extensions available.
What meter readings do I need to take on completion day?
On the morning of completion day, take readings of your gas meter, electricity meter (including any Economy 7 or smart meter readings), and water meter if you have one. Photograph each meter alongside its reading as evidence. Pass these readings to your energy and water suppliers when you notify them of the change of occupancy. This ensures your final bills are accurate and prevents you being charged for the buyer’s usage after you have left.
What happens if I cannot move out by completion day?
If you fail to vacate the property by the agreed completion date, you are in breach of contract. The buyer can charge you penalty interest under the Standard Conditions of Sale at the contract rate (typically 4% above the base rate) for each day of delay. If you still do not vacate, the buyer’s solicitor can serve a notice to complete giving you 10 working days. Failure to comply can result in the contract being rescinded and you being liable for the buyer’s losses. If you anticipate any difficulty, contact your solicitor immediately to negotiate an extension before the completion date.
What should I leave in the property for the buyer?
You must leave everything that was listed as ‘included’ on the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form, which was completed before exchange. This typically includes fitted carpets, curtain poles, light fittings, and any items specifically agreed in the contract. You should remove all personal belongings and anything listed as ‘excluded’ on the TA10. Leaving behind items that were not agreed could result in the buyer claiming the cost of removal. It is good practice to leave the property clean and to provide manuals for any appliances or systems that remain.
Who do I need to notify when I move house?
You need to notify a wide range of organisations. These include your gas and electricity suppliers, water company, council tax office, broadband and phone providers, TV Licence, Royal Mail (for redirection), your bank and building society, employer, GP surgery, dentist, DVLA (for your driving licence and vehicle registration), the electoral register, insurance providers (home, car, life), and any subscription services. Most of these can be done online. Start notifying providers as soon as you have a confirmed completion date.
Can the completion date be changed after exchange?
The completion date can only be changed if both the buyer and the seller agree to the variation in writing. Neither party can move the date unilaterally. If you need to change the completion date, your solicitor must negotiate with the buyer’s solicitor, and both sides must consent formally. A deed of variation may be required. If one party simply fails to complete on the agreed date without the other’s consent, they are in breach of contract and liable for penalty interest and potentially damages.
What does my solicitor do between exchange and completion?
Your solicitor handles several critical tasks between exchange and completion. They prepare the transfer deed (TR1 form) for you to sign, request a mortgage redemption statement from your lender showing the exact amount needed to repay your mortgage on the completion date, prepare a completion statement setting out how the sale proceeds will be distributed, deal with any final requisitions from the buyer’s solicitor, and arrange for key release once funds are confirmed on completion day. You should respond promptly to any requests from your solicitor during this period.
How long does it take to receive sale proceeds after completion?
After your solicitor confirms receipt of the completion funds, they will repay your mortgage, deduct their fees and the estate agent’s commission, and transfer the remaining balance to your bank account. Most solicitors transfer the net proceeds on the same day as completion or the following working day. Same-day transfers are increasingly common but may depend on the time completion is confirmed — if funds arrive late in the afternoon, the transfer to your account may not be processed until the next business day.
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