Settlement refers to the actual day that the remainder of the purchase price is paid to the vendor and the property is transferred into the purchaser’s name.

The date of settlement or completion will be stated in your contract. Usually settlement is 30 days from the contract date, however can sometimes be either 60 or 90 days, depending on what suits both parties.

Settlement will occur once all the conditions of the contract have been satisfied.  At settlement, in exchange for payment of the balance of the purchase price, the seller will provide you with all the relevant signed documentation to legally transfer the property to you and the keys to the property.  Any mortgage taken out against this property will become payable from the date of settlement.

You should do a pre-settlement inspection of the property to ensure it is in the same condition as it was when you signed the contract. Also, check that any items that were included as part of the sale are still in the property such as blinds, light fittings, kitchen cabinets and any plants that you asked to be kept in the garden.