What's the difference between exchange and completion? - staging.pls-solicitors.co.uk
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RESOUCES
2 September 2026

What’s the difference between exchange and completion?

Written by Alex

Exchange of contracts is when the transaction becomes legally binding, and your deposit is paid. Completion is the day ownership actually transfers to you and you get the keys. There’s usually a gap of one to two weeks between the two, though this can vary.