Pre-Completion Checklist

Two Weeks Before Completion

Financial Checks

• Confirm your mortgage offer is still active and hasn't expired
• Confirm your lender has approved your property valuation
• Confirm your lender has received all required documentation (employment verification, identification, etc.)
• Verify your deposit is in your conveyancer's account as cleared funds
• Calculate any additional money you need to pay at completion and confirm it's available
• Contact your lender to confirm they're ready to release completion funds on completion day

Insurance Confirmation

• Verify your buildings insurance policy has started (or will start) at exchange
• Confirm your buildings insurance covers the full rebuild cost of the property
• Check you have the insurance policy number and certificate
• Ensure your lender has accepted the insurance (they'll need the details)
• Arrange contents insurance if you need it (not compulsory, but recommended)

Documents and Legal

• Confirm with your conveyancer that all searches have come back clear
• Verify your survey has been reviewed and any issues addressed according to RICS home survey standards
• Check that all enquiries have been answered to your satisfaction
• Confirm the completion date in the contract (you should know this by now)
• Arrange for any special conditions (Key Undertaking, delayed completion, etc.) to be in place if needed according to the Law Society's Conveyancing Protocol

One Week Before Completion

Removals and Logistics

• Book your removal company if not already done (book for completion day or day after, not exchange day)
• Confirm removal date and time with the removal company
• Arrange temporary storage if there's a gap between moving out and moving in
• Begin packing non-essential items
• Arrange parking permits for removal lorry if needed

Utilities and Services

• Give notice to electricity supplier (arrange final reading for completion day)
• Give notice to gas supplier (arrange final reading for completion day)
• Give notice to water supplier (arrange final reading for completion day)
• Give notice to internet/phone provider if changing supplier
• Request final bills to be sent to current address (you'll provide forwarding address)

Address Changes

• Notify your employer of your address change
• Notify your mortgage lender of your new address
• Notify your car insurance provider
• Notify your home contents insurance provider
• Notify your banks and building societies
• Notify your doctor and dentist if changing
• Request redirection from Royal Mail

48 Hours Before Completion

Final Property Walkthrough

• Arrange final walkthrough with estate agent (request 24–48 hours before completion)
• Check all agreed fixtures and fittings are still present
• Verify no new damage has occurred
• Confirm the property is in the condition agreed in the contract
• Check windows, doors, and locks are working
• Test light switches and heating system (basic functionality)
• Photograph any damage or missing items
• Contact your conveyancer immediately if you find issues

Conveyancer Check-In

• Confirm completion date and expected completion time with your conveyancer
• Provide your contact number so they can reach you on completion day
• Ask about estimated time for funds transfer and key release
• Confirm all documents are signed and ready
• Ask your conveyancer to highlight any outstanding items

Mortgage Lender Final Confirmation

• Contact your lender to confirm funds are being sent
• Confirm the exact amount being sent at completion
• Verify the bank account where funds are being sent

24 Hours Before Completion

Final Preparations

• Pack essentials and important documents
• Arrange somewhere to be on completion day (you'll need to answer your phone)
• Confirm your conveyancer has your correct contact number
• Check the weather (relevant if removals happening) and any travel delays
• Plan your day so you're available between 10am–3pm

Key Release Planning

• Confirm which estate agent office you're collecting keys from
• Ask for their opening hours (are they open past 3pm if funds are late?)
• Plan your route to the estate agent and to your new property
• Arrange for someone to be with you if needed (for safety or help)

Completion Day

Morning (Before 10am)

• Be available by phone from early morning (your conveyancer will contact you)
• Confirm you're ready to proceed
• Ensure your contact number is correct with your conveyancer

During Completion (10am–3pm)

• Answer your phone when your conveyancer or estate agent calls
• Wait for notification that funds have cleared and keys are ready
• Don't leave your house unexpectedly; stay close to your phone

Collecting Keys

• Visit estate agent office once notified funds have cleared
• Check you've received all keys for all locks
• Test keys work in external doors
• Collect garage remote controls, alarm codes, and any other access equipment
• Request receipt for keys collected
• Take photographs of keys if needed for documentation

First Actions at New Property

• Conduct full property walkthrough
• Take meter readings (photograph or write down) for gas, electricity, water
• Test heating, lighting, water (basic functionality)
• Locate stopcock, electrics box, and gas meter
• Check all locks work and alarm codes are correct
• Photograph any unexpected damage or issues
• Contact conveyancer immediately if serious problems found
• Set alarm if applicable

Post-Completion (First Week)

Utility Company Readings

• Submit meter readings to gas supplier
• Submit meter readings to electricity supplier
• Submit meter readings to water supplier
• Request confirmation of reading receipt

Address Updates (Completion Week)

• Electoral register update (usually automatic, verify after 1–2 weeks)
• Council tax registration (usually automatic via conveyancer's Land Registry application)
• HMRC (update address online or by post)
• HM Land Registry (will receive application from conveyancer)
• Insurance providers (confirm new address is registered)
• Banks and building societies (update address)

Insurance Continuation

• Confirm buildings insurance is active and registered to new property
• Arrange contents insurance coverage to start on your moving day
• Update home insurance provider with new address
• Provide buildings insurance details to your lender if required

Initial Checks

• Have your conveyancer's contact details for any post-completion queries
• Keep all completion documentation safe (completion statement, keys receipt, etc.)
• Arrange professional surveys if concerned about any issues (gas, electrics, etc.)
• Document property condition via photographs for your records

You're Ready

Once you've worked through this checklist, completion day will feel manageable rather than overwhelming. You'll know everything is in place and ready to go.

What's the most important thing to confirm two weeks before?

That your buildings insurance is active and your lender has accepted it in writing. If there's a delay with insurance, you need time to fix it before completion.

Should I notify my address with my employer before completion?

Not urgently. Within a week or two after completion is fine for most things. Payroll needs to know eventually (affects tax), but it's not a deal-breaker if delayed to post-completion.

What if my mortgage offer expires before completion?

Contact your lender immediately. Mortgage offers typically last 6 months. If expiring, request a renewal. Your conveyancer and lender will work together to ensure it's extended before completion.

How crucial is the final walkthrough?

Very important. It's your last chance to catch problems before completion. Missing items or new damage discovered after completion are harder to resolve. Don't skip this step.