stupid question - how long do cheques take to clear?

[cupcakes]

Sold some things last week, one of which was paid for by cheque. I paid it in on Friday and it is already showing up in my bank account but technically it hasn't really cleared yet, has it?
When is it ok to send item out without fear of cheque bouncing?
(although may just chance it and send it out tomorrow anyway)

I say 3 days to be on the safe side - I'd send item tomorrow but no earlier.

It usually takes around 3 to 5 working days to clear (not sure if Saturday is included in this as it never used to be, but some banks are open on Saturdays nowadays)

If the cheque is from the same bank as yours ie: a Lloyds TSB cheque paid into a Lloyds TSB account, then I think it clears the same day (they used to anyway)

Sorry, I've just realised that it's not as helpful as I thought it would be!

I can't remember what bank the cheque was from.
Is there any way of telling on my account online if it has cleared properly?

Ok, I've just checked my account to get an idea of how this works.

Go to the 'overview' of the account that the cheque was put into.
Then go to 'account detail' (or something like that) it should give you the amount you have in the bank and the amount 'available', which is the amount that you can spend. From that, you should be able to work out whether the cheque has cleared properly.

HTH

My account usually takes 4 working days to clear a cheque.

thank you.

apparently my available balance is more than my account balance. Am confused now...

Hmmm, maybe you've paid for something by cheque or with your debit card (chip and pin) in the last week or so, and it hasn't been taken out of your account yet..?

Depends on the account. Halifax take 7 working days to clear a cheque from a basic bank account (my account so I call the bastards. A "normal" bank account though is 3-5 working days.

I would say 5 workign days for cheques to clear.
Just to say your available balance might be more that your actual balance if you have an overdraft.

I have an account with the Abbey and when I pay a cheque in my on-line banking immediately adds the amount to my balance and shows it as if it was cleared funds, however when you look at the transaction for the cheque it says beside it funds available and then the date when the cheque clears. IMO they do this with the hope that you trip up and spend the money before it has cleared.

I'm a bit vague on this, but I seem to remember being told that a cheque is available to be drawn on before it's completely cleared - i.e. you can take out the money but if the cheque then bounces, you'll go overdrawn.

This may be complete b*llocks though.