Accepting an offer is not the end of a house sale in England and Wales. There is still a legal process before the sale becomes binding, followed by exchange of contracts, completion, moving out and the practical jobs that come after the keys change hands.
This guide explains the seller journey from an accepted offer to the first days after moving. If you are still deciding how to sell, start with our property enquiry. If your sale is already progressing and you are preparing to move, use our Moving Home Services page or Move Planner.
Quick answer: what happens after you sell your house?
In England and Wales, accepting an offer does not usually make the sale legally binding. Your solicitor or conveyancer works through the contract and the buyer’s enquiries. Once contracts are exchanged, both sides are normally legally committed to the transaction. On completion day, the purchase money is transferred, the seller moves out as agreed, and the buyer receives the keys.
The process at a glance
- You accept an offer.
- Your conveyancer prepares and negotiates the contract.
- The buyer’s side completes searches, enquiries, finance and other checks.
- Contracts are exchanged and the sale becomes legally binding in the usual case.
- You prepare the property and your move for the agreed completion date.
- On completion, funds are transferred and the keys are released to the buyer.
- Your legal representative settles relevant amounts and sends the balance due to you.
- You finish practical post-move tasks such as address, utilities and council tax updates.
1. An accepted offer is not the same as a completed sale
GOV.UK states that an offer is not legally binding in England and Wales until contracts are exchanged. Until that point, the buyer’s solicitor or conveyancer may still raise enquiries, searches and finance checks may continue, and issues can still affect the transaction.
This is why the period after accepting an offer is usually about keeping the legal process moving rather than treating the sale as finished.
2. Your conveyancer prepares the contract
The seller is responsible for drawing up the legal contract that transfers ownership. In practice, a solicitor or conveyancer normally handles this work. GOV.UK says the contract covers matters such as the sale price, boundaries, fixtures and fittings, restrictions or rights, services to the property and the completion date.
Your conveyancer will also deal with questions raised by the buyer’s legal representative, with your help where information or documents are needed.
3. The buyer’s checks and enquiries continue
After an offer is accepted, the buyer’s side may continue searches, review the title, arrange finance and raise enquiries about the property and transaction. If you are asked for information, answer accurately and provide documents where you can. If you do not understand a legal question, ask your conveyancer rather than guessing.
If paperwork is still outstanding, our documents needed to sell a house checklist can help you understand the common categories of information sellers may be asked to provide.
4. Exchange of contracts makes the sale legally binding
When both sides are satisfied with the contract, final copies are signed and exchanged. GOV.UK explains that the agreement is then legally binding and that, usually, neither side can pull out without consequences.
The completion date is normally agreed as part of this stage. From a practical moving perspective, this is when the date becomes much more useful for confirming removals, cleaning and other services.
5. Prepare for completion and moving day
Once the completion date is sufficiently firm, confirm the practical arrangements around the move. Typical jobs include:
- confirming removals or transport;
- packing and labelling boxes;
- arranging storage if dates or space do not line up;
- clearing unwanted furniture;
- organising move-out cleaning if needed;
- planning mail redirection and address changes;
- checking how and when keys will be handed over.
Our Moving House Checklist UK provides a timeline for these tasks. You can also request help with removals, cleaning, storage or furniture clearance using your postcode and expected timing.
6. What happens on completion day?
Completion is the point when the transaction finishes and ownership transfers. GOV.UK explains that the buyer’s legal representative transfers the purchase money to the seller’s legal representative, the seller moves out and leaves the property in the state agreed in the contract, and the buyer receives the keys from the seller or estate agent.
The government’s home-selling guide also notes that completion-day money transfers can take time, especially when several transactions are linked in a chain. Sellers should stay in contact with their legal representative rather than assuming a particular time of day is guaranteed.
7. What happens to the sale money?
Your legal representative handles the completion funds. Depending on your circumstances, they may use the money to repay the existing mortgage or secured debts and settle amounts such as legal fees, estate-agent fees or relevant service charges before sending the balance due to you.
Your own completion statement should show how the money has been accounted for. If anything is unclear, ask your conveyancer to explain the figures.
8. When should you hand over the keys?
Follow the completion arrangements agreed through the legal representatives and estate agent. Do not simply hand over possession early because the buyer asks. The keys are normally released when completion has been confirmed.
Before leaving, carry out a final check of the home, garage, loft, shed and other storage areas, and make sure any items agreed to remain are left in place.
9. What should you do after moving out?
Once the sale and move are complete, there are still practical address and account updates to finish. The GOV.UK home-selling guide highlights areas such as:
- the local authority and Council Tax;
- electoral registration;
- utilities and water;
- GP and other healthcare providers;
- insurance;
- DVLA records where applicable;
- banks and other financial providers;
- mobile, TV and internet services.
Requirements vary by organisation, so use the relevant official service for each change.
What if you are selling and buying at the same time?
If your sale is part of a property chain, your completion may depend on several linked transactions. That makes preparation particularly important. Keep essential documents, keys, chargers and immediate necessities with you rather than loading everything into the removal vehicle.
If there is a gap between leaving one property and entering another, temporary storage may be useful. Our Moving Home Services request lets you indicate storage alongside other moving needs.
What if completion is delayed?
If the expected completion is delayed, contact your solicitor or conveyancer first because the correct response depends on the transaction and contract. For practical arrangements, contact your removal, storage or cleaning provider as soon as you know the timing may change and check their rescheduling terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is my house sold when I accept an offer?
No. In England and Wales, an accepted offer is not normally legally binding. GOV.UK states that the transaction becomes legally binding when contracts are exchanged.
What is the difference between exchange and completion?
Exchange is the stage when the signed contracts are exchanged and the transaction becomes legally binding in the usual case. Completion is the later stage when the purchase funds are transferred, ownership changes and the buyer receives the keys.
Do I have to move out before completion?
You need to follow the contract and completion arrangements for your sale. GOV.UK states that on completion the seller moves out and leaves the property in the state agreed in the contract.
Who pays off my mortgage when I sell?
Your legal representative normally uses the completion funds to repay the mortgage or other secured debts that must be discharged as part of the sale, then accounts to you for the remaining balance after relevant costs.
When should I book removals?
It is sensible to research availability early, but before committing to non-refundable arrangements make sure you understand how firm your completion date is and what happens if the date changes. Once exchange has taken place, the agreed date is normally much firmer.
Official and independent sources
- GOV.UK — Selling a home: overview
- GOV.UK — Transferring ownership (conveyancing)
- GOV.UK — Offers and negotiations
- GOV.UK — How to sell a home
- MoneyHelper — Selling a house or flat
Scope: this guide focuses on the standard home-selling process in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different property-sale processes. Last reviewed: September 2026. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.