What happens between exchange and completion?

[Ukelele3]

I’m wondering what bits the solicitor/bank need to do between exchange and completion? I’ve asked my solicitor but he’s being very private about it. Purely for curiosity purposes as I understand tge rest of the process fairly well.

Bump

Assuming it's freehold the transfer will need to be agreed (not complicated) and signed, mortgage report submitted and funds applied for, statement sent to you so you know how much money to send in as the sols will need the SDLT and Land Registry fees in advance, some forms between lawyers which aren't tricky, making sure you've signed and returned the docs and generally getting the admin ready. It's very much process and organisation.

do you pay the solicitor? If so, get him to answer your questions. Escalate to the senior partner if he doesn't.

more the issue is what you need to do - set up post redirect (5 days), broadband/phone (more), arrange removals (who knows?). All these take time and none can be done until you have exchange.

Thank you both so far. Exchange and completion if they happen will be on the same day.

I can’t escalate to a senior partner as he is one. The younger less experienced ones would often be much more open and easier to have a 2 way conversation with (perhaps due to fear of being reported) but the most senior ones are often very complacent and arrogant as they know they’re at the top of the food chain as it were.

I’ve already paid the required funds a few weeks ago for deposit, legal fees etc

Hi OP, if you've paid all the money (other than mortgage funds) and have signed the docs then it's out of your hands on the legal side other than probably checking regularly enough with the estate agent that everything is still on track. You need to sort out your bits of it though - primarily packing and removal of course.

Simultaneous exchange and completion makes sense at the moment but it's very edgy for everyone as you literally have to move out of your house lock stock and barrel without knowing whether you'll get a call to say that it's not going to happen. Hopefully it will all be OK of course. Feel free to pm me if you've got a specific query and I'll do my best.

Thanks @GU24Mum for the info. I know I’ve done what I need to do on my end but I was more just curious about what things need to happen on the legal side to reach exchange now and then between exchange and completion.