Ready to move by 1 pm

Moving by early afternoon isn’t luck - it’s planning. At the Home Buying and Selling Council, we believe that if we all work together, most people can move by 1 pm. The problem is we just don’t plan for it in advance or even have the discussion.  

To help achieve moving by 1 pm, we carried out cross sector research to uncover the key reasons that prevented people moving by 1 pm and have created a free for all to access leaflet: HBSC “Move by 1 pm”

Hopefully, this is useful in setting expectations with clients and colleagues to keep chains moving smoothly, especially for the removals industry, which, unlike everyone else, has no idea when or if they are able to make it home on moving day!  

What “move by 1 pm” really means

• Legal completion: seller’s conveyancing lawyer receives cleared funds; ownership transfers; the transfer is dated.
• Practical completion: sellers have vacated; keys are released to buyers.
• These don’t always happen at the same moment, so clear communication is essential.
  (Source: legal vs practical completion and the Law Society Code for Completion by Post.)

Agents: set expectations and manage moving by 1 pm

Do this from listing to exchange

• Explain “1 pm-ready” to all clients at the outset; share the HBSC leaflet and confirm everyone’s role.
• Financially validate buyers before viewings/offers where possible; flag bank transfer limits and ISA timings that can delay funds.
• Promote weekday moves (Mon–Thu) and discourage simultaneous exchange and completion unless the property is new or empty.

In the two weeks before completion

• Confirm key-handover logistics and alarm/smart-home access (codes, apps) with the seller.
• Brief the chain: remind all parties that funds should be with the buyer’s conveyancing lawyer 24–48 hours before completion day.
• Signpost quality removers (e.g. BAR members) and urge clients to book 10+ working days ahead.

Lenders: release funds early and keep updates flowing

• Meet draw-down lead times: aim to make funds available the day before completion, where operationally possible. Delays on the day create chain-wide knock-on effects.
• Provide redemption figures promptly and ensure portals give timely status updates to conveyancers.
• Minimise last-minute COT queries on completion day.

Mortgage brokers: de-risk funding and client timing

• Explain bank transfer limits and clearance times at AIP/offer stage; some clients need several days to move their own balance to the conveyancer.
• Plan for ISA/LISA drawdowns and gifted deposits early to avoid day-of-completion hold-ups (AML checks can add time).
• Coordinate with the conveyancing lawyer on the lender’s funding timetable (many firms “order” funds ~5 working days ahead).

Conveyancing lawyers: adopt the Code and get funds in early

• Adopt the Law Society Code for Completion by Post without variation; ensure accounts can receive, confirm and onward-send funds promptly through the chain.
• Order mortgage monies in good time (typically five working days before) and aim to have funds with you 24–48 hours pre-completion.
• Proactive communication: if delay is likely, warn the other side/agent the day before (or earlier) and agree how you’ll update during the day.
• Manage client expectations: explain legal v practical completion and when keys can be released.
• Consider a 1pm special condition in contracts (amending the default 2pm) where both parties agree—particularly helpful for longer chains.

Sellers: be packed, signed and ready to vacate

Moving by 1pm may mean drawing mortgage funds the day before, so you’ll pay a little extra interest. But that small cost is worth it to avoid a stressful, delayed move—or, worse, not being able to move in the same day and incurring thousands of pounds in financial penalties.

Two weeks before completion

• Approve redemption figures and estate agent fees immediately when asked; don’t cancel mortgage direct debits prematurely.
• Sign and return all documents (transfer, replies to requisitions) in good time.
• Agree key release with your agent; provide alarm/smart-system access details for the buyer.

Move-day readiness

• Be out by 1 pm: book a professional remover for 9 am arrival (or load the day before); confirm what you’re leaving per the fittings & contents form.
• If you are packing yourself: ensure you pack and load the van the day before, giving yourself the morning of the move for any extra runs that may be required.
• Final checks: meter photos, smart-device resets, leave instructions for heating/controls.

Buyers: get the money in and collect keys smoothly

Before exchange

• Know the withdrawal and transfer times for your savings or investment accounts—some can take weeks, even months, to release funds to your conveyancing lawyer.
• Share source-of-funds details early (gifts, sales, ISAs); Anti Money Laundering checks take time.
• Choose a weekday move and book a BAR-member remover early.

After exchange

• Completion statement: pay any balance in good time—work back from your bank’s daily limits/clearance times.
• Mortgage funds: confirm your conveyancing lawyer has requested draw-down and that funds will be with them 24–48 hours before completion.
• Key collection: arrange where to collect keys with the agent; note they’re released only when the seller’s conveyancing lawyer confirms completion.

Removal companies: book early, move early, protect clients

• Encourage bookings at least 10 working days ahead; late bookings push clients towards poor-quality providers and higher cancellation risk.
• Load the day before where possible and plan for a 9 am arrival on completion day.
• Point clients to BAR member benefits (Code of Practice, ADR, and advance payment guarantee) for added consumer protection.

A simple 4-week prep checklist (share with every mover)

• 4 weeks out: decide DIY vs professional move; de-clutter; run down freezer; clear loft/sheds; label keys.
• Post-exchange: confirm remover; organise parking/permits; line up childcare/pet care; label boxes by room; sort utilities/post-redirection; schedule cleans; record final meter readings; update key addresses (bank, GP, insurer, licences, council tax).

Common blockers - and how to avoid them

• Funds not in place (bank limits, ISA/LISA timings, gifts): tackle at AIP/offer and reconfirm at exchange.
• Late lender actions (COT queries, same-day release): move to “day-before” readiness where possible.
• Accounts bottlenecks (authorisers unavailable; batched payments): conveyancers to staff and pre-clear accounts workflows for completion day.
• Poor removals practice (double-booking vans/crews): use professional firms with transparent T&Cs.

One-page brief to send with every Memorandum of Sale

• Completion target: keys by 1 pm on the agreed date.
• Buyer’s funds: with conveyancing lawyer 24–48 hours before.
• Lender funds: requested ~5 working days before.
• Comms protocol: Code for Completion by Post; warn of delays the day before.
• Removals: BAR-member, booked 10+ working days ahead; Mon–Thu move preferred.

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