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Settlement day checklist

The handover of money and title that makes the home yours. Most of the work happens in the days before. Tick off each item so nothing holds up the day. Progress saves automatically on this device.

  1. Final inspection done Your pre-settlement inspection is complete and any issues are already with your conveyancer. Worth confirming: Leaving the inspection until settlement day itself.
  2. Your funds ready Your contribution has cleared into the account your conveyancer nominated. Worth confirming: Funds still in transit or subject to a clearance delay.
  3. Loan documents signed Mortgage documents are signed and returned to the lender in good time. Worth confirming: Unsigned loan paperwork close to the settlement date.
  4. Final figure confirmed Your conveyancer has given you the final settlement statement and the amount to pay. Worth confirming: Surprises in the numbers on the day.
  5. Building insurance arranged Cover is in place from settlement, or earlier if your contract requires it. Worth confirming: No cover organised for the day you take ownership.
  6. Utilities connected Electricity, gas, water, and internet are set to connect from the settlement date. Worth confirming: Arriving to a home with no power or water on.
  7. Mail redirection set An Australia Post redirection is arranged from your old address. Worth confirming: Important mail going to your previous home.
  8. Keys collection arranged You know where and when to collect the keys after settlement completes. Worth confirming: No agreed handover point for the keys.
  9. Council and water notified The change of ownership is passed to council and the water authority, usually by your conveyancer. Worth confirming: Rates notices still issued in the vendor's name.
  10. Adjustments understood You understand how rates, land tax, and any owners corporation fees were apportioned. Worth confirming: Not knowing what you were charged or credited for at settlement.
  11. Electronic settlement confirmed Your conveyancer has confirmed the PEXA workspace details for the day. Worth confirming: Unconfirmed settlement arrangements the day before.
  12. A plan for a delay You know what happens, and who to contact, if settlement is delayed. Worth confirming: No fallback if a party is not ready on the day.

What settlement actually is

Settlement is the moment the balance of the price is paid and the title transfers to you. In Victoria it happens electronically through the PEXA platform, coordinated by your conveyancer and the banks in the weeks between contract and settlement.

Nearly everything on this list is arranged in the days before. On the day itself, your job is mostly to be reachable and ready to collect the keys.

About the adjustments

The final figure is not just the balance of the price. Rates, land tax, and owners corporation fees are apportioned between you and the vendor, part of what your conveyancer squares up during the weeks before settlement. If something goes wrong on the day, our guide to problems after settlement covers where you stand.

General information only. This checklist is a guide to settlement in Victoria. It is not legal or financial advice and does not replace a licensed conveyancer, who runs the settlement itself.

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Related reading

Settlement day, explained

What happens at settlement and who does what.

Between contract and settlement

What your conveyancer does before the day.

Problems after settlement

Where you stand if something surfaces later.