Selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. But once that offer is accepted, the real work begins. There are solicitors to instruct, removal companies to book, utilities to cancel, and a long list of organisations waiting for your new address. Without a clear plan, it is easy for things to slip through the net.
Research by the HomeOwners Alliance found that 35% of UK homeowners cite the stress of moving as a barrier to going through with it. That is not surprising. Moving involves dozens of tasks happening at the same time, often with no clear order to follow.
This checklist gives you that order. It is written specifically for home sellers, and it takes you from an offer accepted through to settled in, with no important steps missed.
Who is Involved In Your Sale, and What Do They Do?
Before you start ticking boxes, it helps to know who is who. Several professionals will be involved in your sale, and understanding their roles saves a lot of confusion later.
Your estate agent manages the sale on your behalf. They market your property, negotiate with buyers, and keep communication flowing between all parties in the chain.
Your conveyancer or solicitor handles the legal side. They prepare the contract of sale, carry out searches, and manage the transfer of ownership. The conveyancing process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from offer accepted to completion. Instructing your solicitor as early as possible keeps things moving.
Your removal company transports your belongings from one property to the next. They are not just van drivers. A good firm will survey your home, assess access, and give you a detailed quote.
The buyer’s solicitor works on behalf of the person buying your home. They will raise enquiries about the property, which your solicitor will need to answer.
The mortgage lender (if applicable) holds the title deeds to your property. Your solicitor will request these on your behalf as part of the conveyancing process.
What Happens Between Offer Accepted, and Exchange of Contracts?
This is the busiest period of your sale. Exchange of contracts is the point at which both parties legally commit to the agreed terms of the sale and the buyer’s deposit is transferred to the seller’s conveyancer. After this, the transaction is legally binding and very expensive to back out of.
Before you reach exchange, here is what needs to happen on your side:
- Instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer immediately
- Complete the property information forms your solicitor sends you (TA6 and TA10). These detail the property’s boundaries, what is included in the sale, and any disputes or notices
- Gather supporting documents: building regulations certificates, guarantees for any work carried out, gas and electrical certificates
- Respond promptly to any buyer enquiries raised through your solicitor
- Agree a completion date with all parties in the chain
Delays at this stage are common. According to removal firms, the main causes of moving day delays include delays in the transfer of funds by the conveyancer or banking system (88%), keys not being released in time (69%), and delays caused by the property chain (67%). Staying proactive and responsive is the single best thing you can do to keep your sale on track.
What Should You Do Once Exchange of Contracts Is Confirmed?
Exchange is the green light. Once contracts have been exchanged, neither party can pull out without the other having legal recourse. The average time between exchange and completion is around seven days, though this can vary.
During the period between Exchange and Completion, you should move quickly on the following:
- Confirm your moving date with your removal company
- Begin packing non-essential items
- Notify your buildings insurer of your moving date
- Contact utility providers (gas, electricity, water, broadband) to arrange final readings and close or transfer accounts
- Book a Royal Mail postal redirection
- Start notifying organisations of your change of address
- Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day if needed
How Do You Handle Utilities And Services When You Move?
Your energy, water, and broadband accounts need to be dealt with before you hand over the keys. This is straightforward but easy to forget when everything else is happening at once.
On or just before completion day:
- Take meter readings for gas, electricity, and water
- Photograph the readings as proof
- Contact each provider to close your account at the property and provide a forwarding address for any final bills or refunds
- Cancel or transfer your broadband with enough notice (most providers require 30 days)
If you are moving to a new property, you will need to set up new accounts there, or check whether you can transfer your existing ones.
Who Do You Need To Tell About Your New Address?
This is where people most commonly let things slide. Missing even one organisation can lead to fines, gaps in insurance cover, or missed correspondence.
Failure to update your V5C vehicle log book separately from your driving licence can result in a potential £1,000 statutory fine. The DVLA requires two separate updates when you move.
Here is a full breakdown of who to notify and when:
- HMRC: For tax records, National Insurance, and Child Benefit
- DVLA: Update your driving licence and your V5C vehicle log book separately. These are two distinct legal requirements
- Your local council: To register for council tax at your new address
- The electoral roll: So you can vote and remain eligible for jury service
- Your bank and building society: To keep financial correspondence reaching you
- Your GP surgery: Register with a new practice if you are moving out of the area
- All insurance providers: Home, car, life, and health cover must reflect your correct address to remain valid
- Your employer or pension provider: For payroll and pension correspondence
- Subscriptions and memberships: To avoid deliveries and communications going to the wrong address
Royal Mail recommends allowing up to three weeks to get a postal redirection set up. You can apply for a redirection up to three months before your move date. Redirection is available for 3, 6, or 12 months from £45. It is worth setting this up as a safety net even if you have updated your address everywhere, as some organisations are slow to process changes.
What Do You Actually Need To Do On Completion Day?
Completion day is when ownership officially transfers. Your solicitor will confirm when the buyer’s funds have cleared, and at that point you must vacate the property and release the keys.
On completion, your conveyancer will pay the estate agent, repay the amount owing to the existing mortgage lender if applicable, and take payment for their conveyancing costs. The remaining money from the sale will then be transferred to you, usually by bank transfer on the day of completion.
Your Completion Day Checklist
- Do a final walk-through of the property
- Ensure all agreed fixtures and fittings are left behind
- Take final meter readings and photograph them
- Leave keys, alarm codes, appliance manuals, and any warranties for the buyer
- Hand keys to the estate agent at the agreed time
- Confirm your solicitor has received all funds before leaving
Do not leave anything behind that was not agreed in the sale. And do not take anything that was included in the fixtures and fittings form.
What Is The Best Way To Approach The Move Itself?
More than a quarter of UK homeowners (29%) move on a Friday, with August being the most popular month. However, 85% of removal firms say that delays are more common on busy moving days. If you have flexibility, a mid-week completion in a quieter month will typically mean lower removal costs and fewer delays.
When booking your removal company, look for the following:
- Membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR), which provides consumer protection
- A written, itemised quote following a proper home survey
- Clarity on what is and is not included (packing, dismantling furniture, storage)
- Insurance cover for your belongings in transit
Book as early as you can. Once exchange is confirmed and a completion date is set, removal companies in popular areas fill up fast.
How Michael Anthony Estate Agents Can Help
How Michael Anthony Estate Agents Can Help
Selling a home involves a lot of moving parts. Having the right estate agent beside you throughout the process makes a real difference, from pricing your property correctly to keeping your sale on track once a buyer is found.
At Michael Anthony Estate Agents, we have been helping homeowners sell across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire since 1989. If you are thinking about selling, or your sale is already underway and you want guidance, get in touch with your local branch or book a free property valuation today.
Visit our property advice hub for more buyer guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I instruct a solicitor when selling my home?
As soon as possible, ideally before you have even accepted an offer. The sooner your solicitor has your paperwork and title deeds, the faster the process moves. Some sellers instruct a solicitor before their property goes on the market.
What is exchange of contracts and when does it happen?
Exchange is when both buyer and seller legally commit to the sale. It typically happens 8 to 12 weeks after an offer is accepted, depending on how quickly the conveyancing process progresses. Until exchange, either party can pull out without penalty.
What is completion day?
Completion is the final step. It is the day the sale legally completes, funds are transferred, and you hand over the keys. Most completions happen in the morning, and you are typically expected to vacate the property by early afternoon.
Do I need to notify the DVLA separately for my driving licence and my vehicle?
Yes. These are two separate updates with the DVLA. Your driving licence and your V5C vehicle log book both need to be updated individually. Failing to update the V5C can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
How long does Royal Mail redirection last?
Royal Mail offers redirection for 3, 6, or 12 months, starting from £45. It acts as a safety net while you update your address across all your accounts.