Offer to Completion Checklist

Stage 1: Offer accepted (do immediately)

[ ] Instruct a conveyancing solicitor — same day if possible. Don't wait.
[ ] Inform your solicitor of the agreed price and parties — forward the memorandum of sale when you receive it
[ ] Submit your full mortgage application — your AIP is not enough; submit the full application now
[ ] Confirm your deposit funds are accessible — check where they're held and the transfer timeline
[ ] Commission a survey — instruct a RICS surveyor this week, not after searches
[ ] Start buildings insurance research — you'll need cover from exchange of contracts
[ ] Tell the estate agent your solicitor's details — so the seller's solicitor can make contact

[ ] Review and sign the client care letter from your solicitor
[ ] Provide ID and proof of address to your solicitor
[ ] Provide proof of deposit source — bank statements showing funds built up over time
[ ] Confirm leasehold details (if applicable) — lease length, management company, service charge history
[ ] Review the draft contract pack when your solicitor sends it
[ ] Respond to any ID/AML checks promptly
[ ] Confirm your solicitor is on your lender's panel — if not, your lender needs a separate solicitor

[ ] Check search status weekly — Manchester searches can take 3–6 weeks
[ ] Review the local authority search result with your solicitor when it arrives
[ ] Review the environmental search — check flood risk, contaminated land
[ ] Review the drainage search — confirm connection to public sewer
[ ] Ask about coal mining search if purchasing in Greater Manchester
[ ] Review seller's enquiry answers — ask your solicitor to flag any issues
[ ] Check the title register — understand what restrictions or covenants apply
[ ] For leasehold: review management pack when received — service charges, reserve fund, planned works

[ ] Attend the survey or arrange access if the property is tenanted
[ ] Read the survey report in full — not just the headline condition ratings
[ ] Discuss survey findings with your solicitor — flag any items that need enquiries
[ ] Renegotiate if appropriate — use significant findings to adjust the price
[ ] Commission further specialist reports if the survey recommends (damp, structural, drainage)
[ ] Review your mortgage offer when it arrives — check rate, term, conditions
[ ] Check any mortgage offer conditions — some require remedial work before drawdown
[ ] Confirm mortgage protection insurance — life cover or income protection if required by lender

[ ] Confirm you're ready to exchange in writing with your solicitor
[ ] Agree completion date with all parties (especially if in a chain)
[ ] Transfer exchange deposit to your solicitor's client account at least 2 days before
[ ] Confirm buildings insurance is in place — must be active from exchange
[ ] Book removal company for your target completion date
[ ] Arrange mail redirection through Royal Mail (allow 5 working days)
[ ] Give notice on tenancy if renting — check your notice period matches the completion date
[ ] Exchange contracts — confirm with your solicitor when done

[ ] Transfer completion balance to your solicitor — the night before or morning of completion
[ ] Pack and label all boxes by room to speed up unloading
[ ] Have removal team ready — don't load until you're confident you have a completion time
[ ] Collect keys from estate agent — take ID
[ ] Take meter readings immediately: gas, electricity, water. Photograph them.
[ ] Check the property against the fittings and contents list — is everything that should be there, there?
[ ] Change the locks — first evening or within 24 hours
[ ] Contact utilities to register as new occupant — gas, electricity, water
[ ] Register for council tax from completion date
[ ] Update address with bank, employer, DVLA, HMRC, NHS, subscriptions
[ ] Confirm buildings insurance is now active on your name
[ ] File completion statement from solicitor — keep all completion documents safely

This checklist is for guidance only. Always seek advice from your solicitor on legal steps specific to your transaction.