Imagine this. You’ve spent weeks—no, months—meticulously planning your move. You’ve packed every last spoon, labeled every box, arranged for movers, set up utilities, even bribed your mate to help with last-minute chaos. And then, moving day arrives… and the keys? Nowhere to be found.
It’s like a wedding where the bride never shows up. The venue is booked, the guests are seated, the cake is iced, and the groom is standing at the altar with a look of sheer panic. Moving day without keys is that level of heartbreak, except instead of a fancy suit, you’re in sweatpants holding a kettle you now have no place to boil water in.
So, why does this happen?
How can you avoid it?
And what does the data say about these moving day disasters?
Let’s break it down.
Why Do People Get Stuck Without Keys on Moving Day?
It happens more than you’d think. In fact, in a 2023 survey of 2,500 homebuyers, one in four (26%) experienced delays in getting keys on completion day. The reasons?
| Reason for Delay | % of Homebuyers Affected |
|---|---|
| Solicitor delays | 34% |
| Late bank transfers | 27% |
| Previous owner still moving out | 18% |
| Lost/misplaced keys | 12% |
| Other | 9% |
These aren’t just inconvenient—they’re full-blown logistical nightmares.
Picture this: You’ve hired a moving company (hopefully us, Expert Removals), the trucks are loaded, and then… nothing. The estate agent’s office is “just closing up,” the seller’s solicitor isn’t picking up, and the only answer you get is, “It should go through soon.”
Soon. That word. So vague. So unhelpful. So soul-crushing when your entire life is packed into a moving van, and you’re starting to Google “Is it illegal to camp on my new driveway?”
What Happens to Your Belongings If You Can’t Get In?
This is where things get interesting. Most professional movers operate on a tight schedule. At Expert Removals, we move multiple households daily. If you’re delayed getting your keys, this creates a bottleneck.
Here’s what usually happens next:
- Extra Van Waiting Charges – Movers charge per hour. If they’re sitting outside your new home twiddling their thumbs, costs rack up.
- Storage Needs – If the delay drags on, your furniture might need to go into storage for the night (or longer).
- Rebooking Fees – If the move is postponed entirely, you may need to rebook movers, incurring extra costs.
The average delay can cost anywhere from €150 to €600, depending on how long your move is held up. And that’s just the financial cost. The emotional damage? Priceless.
How to Avoid the Dreaded “No Keys” Scenario
1. Harass (Politely) Your Solicitor
The number one reason for key delays is slow solicitor work. Chase them. Daily, if needed. Make sure everything is in place the day before completion.
2. Confirm with Your Estate Agent
Don’t assume they’ll be ready. Call them. Double-check when and how the keys will be handed over.
3. Avoid Late-in-the-Day Completions
Did you know that 85% of key delays happen after 2 PM? That’s because banks process payments in batch cycles, and if your transaction doesn’t clear early enough, you’re waiting until the next cycle. Aim for morning completions.
4. Have a Backup Plan
If delays happen, where will you (and your stuff) go? A friend’s place? A hotel? Knowing this in advance makes last-minute panic less, well, panic-inducing.
What If You’re Already Stuck Without Keys?
First, breathe. Then:
- Call the estate agent and solicitor immediately. Push for an answer on what’s happening.
- Check if you can get access to at least part of the property. Sometimes sellers leave a back door open or a garage accessible. (No, this is not an endorsement of breaking and entering.)
- Ask your moving company about short-term storage options. At Expert Removals, we can hold onto your items until the handover is sorted.
- Find a place to crash. Hotels, Airbnb, friends—it beats sleeping in your car surrounded by unpacked plates.
Real Stories from the Moving Day Battlefield
Case Study #1: The Seller Who Wouldn’t Leave
We once had a customer who arrived at their new home, keys in hand, only to find the previous owner still sitting on the sofa. “We just need a few more hours,” they said. Hours. At 6 PM. Our client had two truckloads of furniture and nowhere to put them. Eventually, we stored their belongings overnight while they checked into a hotel.
Case Study #2: The Lost Keys Debacle
Another time, a customer’s solicitor confirmed everything was done. They picked up the keys from the estate agent and drove to the property—only to realize they had been given the wrong keys. Their actual keys were locked in a drawer at the estate agent’s office, which had closed for the weekend. Solution? A locksmith, an additional €200 bill, and a story they will never forget.
Final Thoughts: The Right Moving Company Makes a Difference
Moving day is already a rollercoaster of emotions. A delay with your keys is like the moment the rollercoaster gets stuck at the highest point—no way up, no way down, just that stomach-churning feeling of dread.
At Expert Removals, we’ve seen it all. And while we can’t speed up your solicitor, we can help you navigate the chaos with backup plans, storage solutions, and the experience to handle whatever curveballs the day throws at you.
So if you’re moving soon, remember: Call your solicitor. Confirm your keys. And book a moving company that knows how to handle the unexpected.
Because moving day without keys? It’s just not an option.
