House buying- how much notice do you get of moving day

[trevthecat]

Just that really. I'm a FTB but partner isn't. Were buying and everything running smoothly so far. FTB buying partner's house, house were buying is empty and no forward chain. Were hoping to be in before Xmas but unsure of how much notice we will be given on a potential moving date? Asked partner but he couldn't remember from his last move.

Depends entirely on the chain and it can be 6 weeks or even a year. More typically 12 weeks from offer to completion.

If you mean notice of the actual move, that’s set at exchange of contract. Usually a week or two before completion but again can be the same day or can be months out.

Yes notice of actual move. We have done everything we can now. It's all down to solicitors.

When you exchange contracts, that's when the completion date is set i.e. the date that you must move out of your house and hand over the keys, and the date that you get the keys to your new house.

There's usually a couple of weeks between exchange and completion, although there doesn't have to be.

Usually you tell the solicitor when you would like to aim for.

Ours was delayed so ended up exchanging on the Friday (lunch time) and moved on the Monday. Soooo stressful but it was then of 6 weeks later due to not being able to take leave in the summer when others in mine and dh's offices were off. You usually get more notice though.

It's set at exchange and up to you to agree with other side the date - can be anything from same day to whatever you agree - we've done same day, one week, one month.

By the way, don't be too passive and "leave it up to the solicitors" if you want to be in by Christmas. Call them on Monday and get a timeline figured out.

If you leave it, you may find it doesn't happen - you need to be active in the process by keeping in touch with the solicitor about the details.

My in laws moved recently, they got given a provisional date about two weeks before but actually the day before was when it was confirmed. A stressful time for us all!

The day before for us 🙄

The moving (completion) date is not something which you just have presented to you - when you exchange you agree on a date which is agreed by both parties, but this should be discussed prior to exchange so you can sort something out which suits you both.

And presumably if the house you're moving into is empty then you may well be able to specify the date you want to move, but get in touch with the solicitor and tell them when you want to complete, don't just sit back waiting for them to act.