What Actually Happens on Completion Day when buying or selling a Cotswold property?

Completion day is the final step in the home buying or selling process, but it’s often misunderstood. Many people imagine a flurry of activity, meetings and paperwork. In reality, it’s a carefully

managed legal process that mostly happens quietly in the background.

Here’s what actually takes place on the day, whether you’re buying, selling, or doing both.

Before the day starts

By the time completion day arrives, almost all the hard work has already been done. Contracts have been exchanged, a fixed completion date agreed, and everyone knows what needs to happen. Your solicitor will already have prepared the final paperwork and requested any mortgage funds needed for the purchase.

For sellers, signed transfer documents will be held on file, ready to be dated once completion is confirmed.

The transfer of money

On the morning of completion, the buyer’s solicitor sends the purchase money to the seller’s solicitor by same-day bank transfer. This includes the buyer’s own funds and, if applicable, the mortgage money.

If there is a chain, this process happens step by step. Money moves up the chain, with each solicitor confirming receipt before sending funds on to the next. This is why completion times can vary and why patience is sometimes required, particularly in longer chains.

Legal completion

Completion is the moment the seller’s solicitor confirms that all the money has been received. At that point, the transaction is legally complete. Ownership of the property transfers from seller to buyer.

Only once this confirmation is given can keys be released. Estate agents are notified, and the buyer can collect the keys and move in.

For sellers

If you’re selling, your solicitor will use the sale money to repay any existing mortgage on the property and deal with estate agent fees. Any remaining balance is then sent to you, usually on the same day.

You should make sure the property is fully vacated by the agreed time, typically early afternoon, unless otherwise arranged.

For buyers

If you’re buying, you can move in as soon as completion has taken place and the keys are released. Buildings insurance should already be in place from exchange of contracts, and utilities can be transferred into your name.

Your solicitor’s work doesn’t end on completion day. Afterward, they will deal with paying Stamp Duty (if applicable) and registering you as the new owner at HM Land Registry.

A calm finish, not a dramatic one

Completion day is designed to be predictable and controlled. While it’s an important milestone, it’s rarely dramatic. When everything runs smoothly, it can feel almost anticlimactic — which is usually a sign that the legal process has done its job properly.

For buyers and sellers alike on a Cotswold property, understanding what happens on completion day can remove much of the uncertainty and help the final stage feel calm and manageable rather than stressful.

Get in touch jo@jorayner.co.uk