What Is a Completion Statement?
Updated: March 2026
A completion statement is a final financial summary prepared by your solicitor that shows exactly how much money is going in and out of your property transaction. It confirms what you need to pay or what you’ll receive on completion day, including all fees, taxes, and adjustments.
Key Takeaways:
- A completion statement shows the final balance to pay (buyer) or receive (seller).
- It includes all costs, deductions, and credits in one place.
- You’ll usually receive it a few days before completion and should check it carefully.
When Do You Receive a Completion Statement?
You’ll usually receive your completion statement a few days before completion day, once all figures are confirmed.
At this stage, your solicitor will have:
- Finalised legal fees
- Received mortgage figures (if applicable)
- Calculated taxes and disbursements
- Confirmed any deductions or credits
It’s important to check it immediately. Even small errors can delay completion if funds don’t match exactly.
In practice, timing matters. Property transactions already take time, with conveyancing often stretching to several months, so last-minute issues can quickly cause delays.
According to Today’s Conveyancer, the average time from a conveyancer’s instruction to completion reached 120 days in 2024-5. Underscoring how even small mistakes in your completion statement can prolong an already lengthy process.
Expert insight from Paul Gibbens, Housebuyers4u:
"I always advise homeowners to check their completion statement as soon as it arrives. Even small errors can delay completion, so catching them early makes the whole process far smoother."
What’s Included in a Completion Statement?
A completion statement brings together every financial element of the transaction. The details vary slightly depending on whether you’re buying or selling.
| Item | Buyer’s Completion Statement | Seller’s Completion Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase / Sale Price | Full purchase price due | Full agreed sale price shown |
| Deposit Paid | Deducted as a credit against purchase price | Not applicable |
| Mortgage Funds | Lender advance credited towards balance | Mortgage redemption amount deducted |
| Stamp Duty (SDLT/LTT) | Payable if applicable | Not applicable |
| Legal Fees & Disbursements | Itemised (searches, Land Registry, etc.) | Itemised (conveyancing, admin, transfer fees) |
| Estate Agent Fees | Not applicable | Deducted before net proceeds released |
| Balance Due / Net Proceeds | Final amount buyer must transfer to solicitor | Net amount seller receives after deductions |
From our experience at Housebuyers4u working with sellers across the UK, completion statements often cause confusion simply because they arrive late in the process. Most issues come down to unexpected deductions or misunderstood fees, especially around mortgage redemption and agent costs.
Clear breakdowns and early explanations make a big difference in avoiding last-minute stress.
Examples of a Completion Statement
Here’s a simplified example of what a completion statement might look like for both a buyer and a seller.
Buyer Completion Statement Example
| Item | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | 250,000 |
| Less: Deposit Paid | –25,000 |
| Less: Mortgage Advance | –200,000 |
| Plus: Stamp Duty (SDLT) | +2,500 |
| Plus: Legal Fees & Searches | +1,500 |
| Balance to Pay | 28,000 |
Seller Completion Statement Example
| Item | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Sale Price | 250,000 |
| Less: Mortgage Redemption | –180,000 |
| Less: Estate Agent Fees | –3,500 |
| Less: Legal Fees | –1,500 |
| Net Proceeds to Seller | 65,000 |
Is a Completion Statement Legally Binding?
No, a completion statement is not a contract.
It’s a financial summary, not a legal agreement. However, the figures shown must be correct and settled for completion to go ahead. If the balance is wrong or unpaid, the transaction can be delayed or fail.
Related Read: What paperwork do I need to sell my house?
Housebuyers4u Insight: Typical Completion Statement Costs
At Housebuyers4u, we track the common costs and deductions that appear on completion statements from real UK transactions. This data shows the typical ranges sellers and buyers face in 2025–2026.
| Item | Typical Buyer Amount (£) | Typical Seller Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Fees | 1,200 – 1,900 | 1,000 – 1,600 |
| Bank Transfer / Admin Fees | 30 – 70 | 30 – 70 |
| Stamp Duty (on £250k home) | 2,600 – 3,850 | n/a |
| Land Registry Fees | 200 – 360 | n/a |
| Estate Agent Fees (1–1.5%) | n/a | 2,500 – 3,850 |
| Mortgage Redemption Costs | n/a | 150,000 – 205,000+ |
| Balance / Net Proceeds | 25,000 – 36,000 | 60,000 – 81,000 |
What Should You Do When You Receive Your Completion Statement?
When your completion statement arrives, you should check it straight away to avoid last-minute issues that could delay your sale or purchase.
- Check all figures carefully
Make sure the purchase price, sale price, and all deductions match what you’ve agreed. - Confirm deposit and mortgage details
Ensure your deposit has been accounted for correctly and your mortgage amount matches your offer. - Review fees and charges
Look through legal fees, Stamp Duty, agent fees, and any other costs to ensure nothing unexpected has been added. - Flag any errors immediately
If something looks wrong, contact your solicitor straight away so it can be corrected before completion. - Prepare your funds in advance
Make sure any balance due is ready to transfer in time, as delays here can hold up the entire transaction.
Most completion delays at this stage stem from incorrect figures or late payments, both of which are avoidable with a quick review.
Sell with Certainty, Skip the Stress
Completion statements can be confusing, and even small errors can cause delays on completion day.
At Housebuyers4u, we take the uncertainty out of selling by giving you a clear, guaranteed cash offer with no hidden fees and no complex breakdowns. Our process is simple, transparent, and built around your timeline, so you know exactly what you’ll walk away with.
Get your free cash offer today and complete with confidence.
Find out how much we can Offer for your House
