Moving day was sorted. The van was booked, the boxes were packed, and then your solicitor called. Completion has been pushed back. It’s one of the most stressful moments in any house move, and it happens far more often than people expect. Here’s exactly what to do next.
Why Completion Dates Shift in London Property Chains
London property chains are long. A typical purchase in the capital can involve three, four, sometimes five parties, all waiting on each other to exchange and complete. If one buyer’s mortgage funds don’t arrive in time, or one solicitor needs a missing document, the whole chain can stall, including yours.
The numbers make this clear. The average time from an offer being accepted to exchange of contracts in Great Britain reached 104 days in 2025, up from 76 days in 2019, according to Connells Group. That’s nearly a month more exposure to last-minute changes than there was just six years ago. In 2025, around 26% of all agreed property sales in the UK did not reach completion, Quickmovenow data shows.
Common reasons a date slips at the last minute include mortgage funds not arriving in time (many lenders now need five to six working days between a draw-down request and releasing funds), a missing certificate or warranty from somewhere in the chain, and one party’s solicitor needing extra time on paperwork. None of these are your fault, but they all affect your move.
Call Your Removal Company Straight Away
Before anything else, call your removal company. Don’t wait until you have a confirmed new date.
A professional removal team will have dealt with delayed completions before. The earlier you call, the more options you have. Share what you know, even if that’s only “completion might slip by a day or two” or “we’re not certain yet.” That’s enough to start planning. With a reliable house removals team behind you, you’ll get clear advice on what can be held and for how long, without being left to figure it out alone.
If your removal company carries goods-in-transit insurance and has its own storage facilities, a delay becomes far more manageable. That’s something worth checking before you book.
What Happens to Your Belongings if the Delay Is Short
A delay of one or two days is usually workable. If you’re still in your current home, you stay put with everything boxed up and wait for the new date to be confirmed. Your removal company can often hold your booking and proceed once things are settled.
If you’ve already vacated and handed over keys, it becomes more complicated. In that case, talk to your solicitor and estate agent straight away. An extra 24 to 48 hours at your old address can sometimes be arranged informally when the delay is short and both parties agree. It’s worth asking.
If you had plans to travel on completion day, revisit those quickly. Hotels and short-term lets in London fill up fast, especially mid-week.
When the Delay Runs to a Week or Longer
A longer delay needs a proper plan, and this is where secure storage during your house move becomes the most practical answer.
If you need to leave your current home but cannot yet get into your new one, we can load your belongings from your old property and take everything directly into a secure storage unit. Once completion goes through and you have a confirmed date, we deliver straight to your new home. Same crew, same company, no need to arrange a separate van or a separate firm.
Short-term storage costs in London typically run from around £50 to £150 per week depending on the volume of your belongings. Get a quote early so you know what to budget for, even if you don’t end up needing it.
Sort Your Bills, Insurance and Post Quickly
While you’re dealing with the delay, a few practical things need attention. Call your mortgage lender or broker to confirm your offer remains valid. Most mortgage offers last six months, but if your original completion date was close to the offer’s expiry, you need to know your position now, not later.
Contact your buildings and contents insurer for both your current and new address. Explain the situation clearly. You don’t want a gap in cover, and you don’t want to cancel the policy on your old address before you’ve actually left it.
Let your utility providers, broadband company and Royal Mail know the timeline has changed. If you’ve had professional packing done and everything is boxed up, avoid unpacking anything you won’t need immediately. A week’s delay means living out of a bag for a few days, not unpacking and repacking your entire home twice.
What a Good Removal Company Does Differently
The difference between a stressful delay and a manageable one often comes down to who you booked.
A removal company that carries goods-in-transit cover keeps your belongings protected throughout, whether they’re on the van, in storage or being redelivered to your new home. Just Removals London is fully insured on every move, with goods-in-transit cover and £5m public liability as standard. We work 7 days a week, which means if your new completion date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, we’re there.
Our vehicles range from a man and van for lighter loads through to 7.5-tonne lorries for full family house moves. If circumstances change and you need a different crew size or vehicle on the new date, we’ll sort that with you directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my removal booking to a different date?
Yes, and you should call as soon as you know the date may change. Reputable companies will work with you to hold or reschedule your booking where they can. The earlier you contact them, the more flexibility there is. Waiting until the morning of the move makes things much harder to manage for everyone.
What happens if my furniture is already on the van and completion is delayed?
Your removal crew can hold the vehicle while you chase your solicitor for confirmation, but this has practical limits. If completion doesn’t happen by mid to late afternoon, your belongings will typically need to go into secure overnight storage. Keep your removal company updated throughout the day so they can plan around it.
Will I lose my deposit if my moving date has to change?
This depends on the company and the notice given. Many reputable removal firms will transfer your deposit to the new date rather than forfeit it, particularly when the change is caused by a completion delay outside your control. Get this confirmed in writing before you book, not after.
Does a delayed completion mean the sale has fallen through?
Not necessarily. A delay means the date has shifted, not that the sale won’t happen. That said, if your solicitor cannot give you a new completion date, it’s worth understanding whether the chain is still intact. Ask your solicitor for a clear status update rather than assuming either way.
How much does emergency storage cost during a completion delay?
Short-term storage in London typically costs between £50 and £150 per week depending on the volume of your belongings. Ask your removal company whether they offer integrated storage as part of their service, as this usually means a single quote that covers moving your belongings in and out of the unit without a separate arrangement.
How can I reduce the risk of a last-minute date change?
You can’t fully prevent a delay caused by others in the chain. Choosing a solicitor who communicates quickly and chases information proactively helps. So does booking a removal company experienced in handling delayed completions, and having a storage plan ready even if you don’t end up using it.
A delayed completion is disruptive, but it’s rarely the end of the road. Call your removal team first, have a storage option ready and keep your solicitor informed at every step. If you’re moving home in London and want a team that handles last-minute changes calmly, get a free, no-obligation quote from Just Removals London today.