Vacant Possession and Key Handover: Seller Checklist Basics

Definition in practice

Vacant possession usually means the buyer can move in without people or belongings blocking lawful use, subject to contract wording. Your solicitor defines what your contract requires.

Common issues

• Rubbish left in gardens or lofts.
• Tenants still in occupation when the contract assumes vacancy.
• Alarm codes and utility handover ambiguity.

Practical tip

Agree meter readings and handover steps in advance with your solicitor's help.

What to check next

Use [Property Passport UK](/search) to open the property by address or postcode, then review official context alongside anything you save as Documents for your own workflow.

How Property Passport UK helps

Property Passport UK brings address-level context together in one place so you can prepare questions for your conveyancer and surveyor without treating a portal listing as proof. It does not replace HM Land Registry title, searches, or professional advice.

Disclaimer: General information only, not legal advice, not a survey, and not a substitute for regulated conveyancing or valuation.