Next Steps After Completion Day: UK Home Buyer Checklist
Completion day is the day the purchase money is sent, the seller is paid, and the keys are released. For most UK home buyers, this is the moment the property finally becomes yours.
But completion day is not the end of the home buying process. There are still important things to check, update, and organise after you get the keys.
Simple answer: After completion day, take meter readings, check the property, secure the home, set up bills, update your address, and make sure your solicitor completes the Stamp Duty and Land Registry work.
What Usually Happens on Completion Day?
| Stage | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Money is sent | Your solicitor sends the purchase money to the seller’s solicitor. |
| Completion is confirmed | The seller’s solicitor confirms the money has arrived. |
| Keys are released | The estate agent or seller gives you access to the property. |
| You move in | You can enter the home, check it, and start setting things up. |
Same Day Checklist After Getting the Keys
Before you relax, do these simple checks. They can save confusion later with bills, damage, or missing items.
| Done | Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Take gas, electricity, and water meter readings | Helps avoid paying for the previous owner’s usage. |
| ☐ | Take photos of the meters | Gives proof if there is a billing issue later. |
| ☐ | Check the property is empty | The seller should normally leave the property as agreed. |
| ☐ | Check included items | Look for agreed fixtures, fittings, keys, fobs, manuals, and appliances. |
| ☐ | Find the stopcock and fuse box | Useful if there is a leak or electrical issue. |
| ☐ | Test doors, windows, heating, and hot water | Spot urgent problems quickly. |
| ☐ | Change the locks | You may not know who still has old keys. |
| ☐ | Keep all completion documents safe | You may need them for tax, insurance, selling, or remortgaging later. |
Important: If something looks seriously wrong after completion, take photos and contact your solicitor or estate agent quickly. Do not wait several weeks.
First Week After Completion: Important Admin
- Contact utility suppliers and give opening meter readings for gas, electricity, and water.
- Set up Council Tax with the local council from your completion or moving date.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, GP, dentist, school, insurance providers, pension provider, and subscriptions.
- Tell DVLA if you have a driving licence or vehicle log book.
- Arrange broadband and phone services because installation dates can take time.
- Check your mortgage payment date because the first payment can sometimes be higher than normal.
- Review home insurance including buildings insurance and contents insurance.
- Set up mail redirection so important letters do not go to your old address.
What Your Solicitor Does After Completion
Your solicitor or conveyancer still has work to do after completion day. This is called post-completion work.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
In England and Northern Ireland, your solicitor usually files the Stamp Duty Land Tax return and pays any SDLT due. GOV.UK says this is normally required within 14 days of completion. In Wales and Scotland, different property tax rules apply.
Land Registry application
Your solicitor applies to update the Land Registry so the property is registered in your name. This can take time, especially for leasehold, new-build, or complex title cases.
Mortgage registration
If you bought with a mortgage, the lender’s legal charge is usually registered against the property. This is normal and shows the lender has a secured interest in the home.
Good to know: Land Registry updates are not always completed immediately. Ask your solicitor to confirm once registration is finished and keep the final title document safely.
Extra Checks for Freehold, Leasehold, and New-Build Homes
| Property Type | After Completion Checks |
|---|---|
| Freehold house | Check boundaries, keys, bins, warranties, alarm codes, and any guarantees. |
| Leasehold flat | Contact the managing agent, set up service charge payments, check fobs, parking, building rules, and ground rent details. |
| New-build home | Create a snagging list, check appliance manuals, warranty documents, meter serial numbers, and builder contact details. |
Common Problems After Completion Day
| Problem | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Seller left rubbish behind | Take photos and speak to your solicitor or estate agent. |
| Missing keys or fobs | Ask the estate agent first, then consider replacing locks. |
| Agreed items are missing | Check the fixtures and fittings form, then contact your solicitor. |
| Utility bills look wrong | Use your completion day meter photos as evidence. |
| Unexpected damage | Record it quickly and ask for professional advice if needed. |
Real Example: A Simple Completion Day Plan
A buyer completes at 1:00 pm and collects the keys from the estate agent. Before moving boxes in, they take meter readings, photograph each room, check the boiler, find the stopcock, and make sure the agreed appliances are still there.
That evening, they contact utility suppliers, update their Council Tax, and arrange a lock change. A few days later, they ask their solicitor to confirm the Stamp Duty submission and Land Registry application.
This is a simple, sensible way to manage the first few days after buying a house in the UK.
After Completion Checklist for New Homeowners
| Done | Checklist Item |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Collect all keys, fobs, garage remotes, and alarm codes |
| ☐ | Take meter readings and photos |
| ☐ | Set up gas, electricity, water, and Council Tax |
| ☐ | Update address with important companies and services |
| ☐ | Check mortgage payment date |
| ☐ | Review buildings and contents insurance |
| ☐ | Change locks or arrange a locksmith |
| ☐ | Keep completion statement, warranties, certificates, and legal documents safe |
| ☐ | Ask solicitor for confirmation once post-completion work is finished |
Useful UK Links
- GOV.UK Buying a Home Guide
- GOV.UK Stamp Duty Land Tax
- HM Land Registry Processing Times
- Pay or Set Up Council Tax
- Tell DVLA You Have Changed Address
- Royal Mail Redirection
Final Thoughts
Completion day is a big milestone, but the next steps matter too. A calm after completion checklist helps you avoid missed bills, address problems, insurance confusion, and post-completion delays.
The best approach is simple: check the property, secure the home, organise your services, keep records, and stay in touch with your solicitor until the legal work is fully finished.