What to Do After Your Offer is Accepted on a House UK (2026 Guide)

Offer accepted — congratulations. It's one of the most exciting moments in the whole process. But once the initial rush fades, most buyers are left wondering the same thing: what actually happens now?

The next 12 weeks are the most critical and most complicated part of buying a house in the UK. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, so nothing gets missed and nothing causes an unnecessary delay.

Want a personalised week-by-week plan built around your exact situation? BandBack Move creates your free moving checklist in 60 seconds — covering every stage from offer accepted to settled in.

The First 48 Hours — What to Do Immediately

The period immediately after offer acceptance is crucial. Several things need to happen within the first day or two to protect your position and keep the process moving.

• Confirm the offer in writing — ask your estate agent to confirm the agreed price, any conditions, and the expected timeline in writing. Verbal agreements are not binding at this stage.
• Instruct a conveyancing solicitor immediately — this is the single most time-sensitive action. Good solicitors get booked up fast. The conveyancing process takes an average of 12–16 weeks — every day you delay instructing adds a day to the end.
• Inform your mortgage broker — if you have an Agreement in Principle, your broker now needs to submit the full mortgage application. This takes time to process so start immediately.
• Take the property off the market — if the seller hasn't already, request that the property is marked as sold subject to contract. This doesn't guarantee anything legally but reduces the risk of competing buyers.

Instruct a Conveyancing Solicitor

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership. Your solicitor handles the searches, contract review, mortgage requirements and ultimately the exchange and completion. Choosing the right one is as important as choosing quickly.

• Get at least two or three quotes — conveyancing fees vary significantly for identical work
• Look for a dedicated case manager you can contact directly, not just a call centre
• Check they are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
• Avoid using the solicitor recommended by your estate agent without comparing alternatives — agents sometimes receive referral fees
• Ask specifically how they communicate — email updates, phone calls, or a client portal

Submit Your Full Mortgage Application

An Agreement in Principle is not a mortgage offer. Once your offer is accepted you need to convert your AIP into a full mortgage application. This involves your broker submitting a complete application to a lender, who will then conduct a full assessment of your finances and the property.

• Contact your mortgage broker the same day your offer is accepted
• Gather your documents: last 3 months payslips, last 2 years P60s, last 3 months bank statements, passport or driving licence, proof of deposit
• The lender will instruct a mortgage valuation on the property — this is separate to a survey
• A formal mortgage offer typically takes 2-6 weeks from application submission
• Your mortgage offer will be valid for a set period — usually 3-6 months

Book a Property Survey

A survey is not legally required but skipping one is a significant financial risk. The mortgage valuation your lender conducts protects them, not you. Your own independent survey protects you.

• Level 2 HomeBuyer Report — suitable for most standard properties in reasonable condition. Highlights significant defects and issues. Cost: £400-£1,000.
• Level 3 Building Survey — more detailed inspection. Essential for older properties, unusual construction, or anything that raised concerns during viewings. Cost: £650-£1,500.
• New build snagging survey — identifies defects in new build properties before you complete. Cost: £300-£600.

Sort Buildings Insurance from Exchange

This is the most commonly misunderstood timing issue in the whole buying process. Once contracts are exchanged, you're usually responsible for the property, and most mortgage lenders require buildings insurance to be in place from exchange — not completion.

From exchange you are legally committed to buying the property. If it burns down between exchange and completion and you have no insurance, you could still be required to complete the purchase. Most mortgage lenders also require proof of buildings insurance before they will release funds.

What Your Solicitor Does During Conveyancing

Once instructed, your solicitor works through a series of legal checks and processes. Understanding what they're doing helps you know when to chase and when to be patient.

What to Do While Conveyancing is Progressing

Conveyancing involves a lot of waiting. Use the time productively — several important tasks need to be sorted during this period that many buyers leave too late.

Order broadband at your new address

This is the most commonly forgotten task. New broadband connections take 2-4 weeks to activate depending on the provider and infrastructure at your new address. If you leave it until moving week you will arrive with no internet — a genuine problem if you work from home or have children.

Get removal quotes

You don't need to book yet — you won't know your exact moving date until exchange — but get ballpark quotes now. Good removal companies fill up weeks in advance, especially in summer. Having quotes ready means you can book immediately after exchange without delay.

Sort life assurance and mortgage protection

If you're taking out a mortgage with dependants, life assurance is not optional — it's essential. Most lenders expect it and it protects your family if the worst happens. Arrange it early as the application requires medical questions and can take time to process.

Notify your current landlord or arrange your sale

If you're renting, check your tenancy agreement for the notice period required — usually one or two months. Give notice at the right time to avoid paying rent and a mortgage simultaneously. If you're selling, keep in close contact with your solicitor about aligning completion dates.

Exchange of Contracts — What Actually Happens

Exchange of contracts is when the purchase becomes legally binding. Both parties sign identical contracts and they are physically exchanged between solicitors. At this point you pay your deposit — typically 10% of the purchase price — which is non-refundable if you pull out.

• A completion date is agreed at exchange — typically 1-4 weeks after exchange
• Buildings insurance must be active from this point
• Now is the time to confirm your removal booking for the completion date
• Broadband should be ordered if not already done
• Set up Royal Mail redirection — allow 5 working days to activate

Completion Day — Moving In

Completion day is when the remaining purchase funds are transferred from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor. Once confirmed, the estate agent releases the keys. This usually happens between 12pm and 2pm but can be earlier or later depending on how quickly funds clear.

• Don't book removal vans for early morning — wait for key release confirmation first
• Take meter readings at both properties — photograph with a timestamp
• Test all keys and locks at the new property — consider changing the locks
• Locate the stopcock and fuse box — photograph both
• Walk through every room, cupboard, loft, shed and garage at your old property
• Pack an essentials box that travels with you — chargers, medication, documents, kettle, toilet roll

After You Move — Admin That Can't Wait

Moving day is exhausting but several admin tasks have legal or financial deadlines that make them genuinely urgent.

• Update your driving licence and V5C — failure to update your vehicle registration can result in a £1,000 fine
• Update car insurance — your premium is calculated on your postcode. Notify within 14 days or risk invalidating your policy
• Update the electoral register — go to gov.uk/register-to-vote. Improves your credit score.
• Notify HMRC — update your address at gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-address. Takes 5 minutes.
• Register with a new GP and dentist — use nhs.uk/service-search to find practices near your new address
• Switch energy supplier — don't stay on the previous owner's tariff. Switch immediately to the best available deal.

Information correct as of June 2026. Conveyancing timelines are estimates and may vary. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. BandBack Move is an introducer only and does not provide financial or legal advice. BandBack Move earns a referral fee when you use partner services — this never affects the price you pay.