The completion date
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
You become the legal owner of a property on an agreed date. This is usually no more than a month after the contracts have been exchanged. This is when the money for the sale is given to the seller and you pay for any outstanding costs involved in the purchase.
Collecting the keys
The seller's solicitor will normally give the keys to your new home to your solicitor when the agreed price has been paid. However, you may be able to agree to get the keys directly from the seller or the estate agent if this is more convenient.
Moving in
Once the property sale is completed, you may need to hire a van to move your possessions into your new home. You may also need furniture, appliances and household items. If you can, set some money aside for this when working out your moving budget.
