· 5 min read

The UK pre-exchange checklist: 12 things to confirm before you sign

Exchange of contracts is the point of no return. Before you get there, twelve things need to be confirmed. Miss one and you risk a delayed completion, a collapsed chain, or a financial penalty.

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Exchange of contracts is the moment your purchase becomes legally binding. After exchange, pulling out typically means losing your deposit.

Legal and financial

  1. All searches received and reviewed — local authority, drainage, environmental, chancel repair.
  2. Mortgage offer in writing and valid — confirm the expiry date will cover your completion date.
  3. You have read and signed the contract — including what is and is not included in the sale.
  4. Fixtures and fittings list agreed — the TA10 form, every item explicitly confirmed.
  5. Stamp duty funds accessible — not locked in a fixed-term savings product.
  6. Buildings insurance active from exchange — not completion. You are responsible from exchange.

Property and survey

  1. Survey follow-ups completed — all specialist reports commissioned and reviewed before exchange.
  2. Pre-exchange viewing done — confirm property is in the same condition as when you offered.

Practical

  1. Completion date agreed by everyone in the chain — in writing, confirmed by your solicitor.
  2. Removal company confirmed — good companies book up weeks in advance.
  3. Utility transfers and change of address arranged — energy, council tax, DVLA, bank, HMRC.
  4. Deposit funds available for transfer on exchange day — typically 10% of purchase price.

If you are still deciding between two properties, compare them on HomesToCompare before exchange →