You have packed the last box, the van is booked, and the kettle is already in a crate somewhere. Then the phone rings: completion has slipped. It happens far more often than most people expect, and it is rarely anyone's fault in particular — a lender is slow releasing funds, a query comes back from the Land Registry, or someone further down the chain is not ready. The good news is that a delayed move is usually a manageable problem rather than a disaster, provided you act quickly and keep talking to the right people.

Find out exactly what has changed

Before you start rearranging your life, get the facts. A short delay of a few hours is very different from a delay of a week, and your response should be different too. Ask your solicitor or conveyancer three questions: what has caused the hold-up, what still needs to happen, and whether they can give you a realistic new date. If you have already exchanged contracts, the completion date is legally binding, and any delay has consequences for the party at fault — so it is worth understanding where you stand before you make promises to anyone else.

Write down the new information as you receive it. If you end up claiming back costs, a simple record of who told you what, and when, will be far more useful than trying to remember it a fortnight later.

Call your removal firm first

Removal companies deal with this constantly, and most would much rather hear from you early than find out on the morning. Ring them as soon as you know the move is slipping and explain the situation honestly.

• Ask about flexibility. Can they hold your slot for later the same day, move you to the next morning, or shift you to a quieter weekday? Mid-month and mid-week slots are often easier to rearrange.
• Ask about waiting time. If the van arrives and the keys are not ready, you will usually be charged by the hour. Sometimes it is cheaper to send the crew away and rebook than to have them sit outside.
• Ask about storage. If there is going to be a gap of several days, a few weeks of storage may be the simplest answer. Many firms offer this, and it means your belongings are loaded once rather than twice.
• Confirm insurance. Check whether your cover still applies if goods sit in storage or in the van overnight, and whether you need to notify anyone.

Keep the chain and the paperwork moving

Your estate agent and solicitor are your eyes and ears on everyone else involved. Ask the agent to chase the rest of the chain and to keep you updated daily rather than weekly while things are unstable. If you are selling as well as buying, remember that your buyers are in the same position as you, and a bit of goodwill now can pay off later.

Other calls worth making:

• Your mortgage lender or broker, if the delay affects a mortgage offer expiry or a funds release.
• Utility providers, to pause any cancellation or new connection you have already arranged. Do not cancel the old supply until you have a confirmed date, and take meter readings on the day you finally leave.
• Your council, for council tax at both ends of the move, and for anything like a parking suspension for the van.
• Your insurer, because many home policies limit cover if a property is left empty for more than 30 days — and your contents cover may not follow your belongings into storage automatically.

Keep essentials accessible — and pack a go bag

If your belongings are already loaded, ask the crew to keep a labelled "first night" box reachable at the back of the van. Even if nothing has been loaded yet, set one aside now. A delay can turn into an unplanned night in a hotel, a friend's spare room, or an empty house with no beds made up.

• Chargers, a power bank, and any essential paperwork — passports, deeds, contracts, prescription lists.
• Medication, toiletries, a change of clothes for each person, and nappies or pet food if relevant.
• Bedding, towels, toilet roll, bin bags, and a kettle with mugs and teabags if you can manage it.
• Snacks, water, and something to keep children occupied. A charged tablet earns its keep on days like this.

Watch the money, and stay flexible

Delays cost money: extra van time, storage, a night in a hotel, takeaway food, perhaps another day off work. Keep every receipt and note why the cost arose. If the delay is caused by another party after exchange, you may be able to recover some of it — but only if you can show what you spent. Where you can, choose refundable or flexible bookings over the cheapest non-refundable option until the keys are actually in your hand.

Finally, give yourself permission to change plans. A move that happens two days late is still a successful move. Tell your boss, warn the school, reschedule the broadband installation, and accept any offers of help with good grace. Keep your phone charged, keep your sense of humour, and keep in touch with everyone involved — the vast majority of delayed moves complete within days, and the boxes get unpacked eventually.