Selling a House
More About Selling a House
- Obtaining Title Deeds – Gathering your title deeds and any other essential legal documents to progress the sale.
- Preparing the Contract Pack – Compiling the sale contract, property forms, and supporting documents for the buyer’s solicitor.
- Reviewing the Sale Contract – Making sure the terms are fair, accurate, and in your best interests.
- Providing Legal Advice – Explaining your rights and responsibilities as a seller, so you always know where you stand.
- Responding to Enquiries – Dealing with questions raised by the buyer’s solicitor about the property, title, or documentation.
- Exchanging Contracts – Making the transaction legally binding once everything is agreed and in place.
- Completing the Sale – Receiving the buyer’s funds, transferring ownership, and finalising the sale.
- Paying Off Mortgage – If applicable, arranging for your mortgage to be repaid from the proceeds of the sale.
- Settling Outstanding Bills – Managing estate agent fees, service charges, or other property-related payments (except utility bills).
- Providing Post-Sale Advice – Helping with closing accounts and offering ongoing guidance even after the sale is complete.
Every sale is unique. At Howard & Over, we tailor our approach to your property, your buyer, and your priorities, working efficiently to secure a successful outcome with minimum disruption. Get in touch with our expert team today to get started.
What Capital Gains Tax Involves:
- When It Applies – CGT is payable when you sell a property that is not your main home, such as a rental property, holiday home, or inherited house.
- How It’s Calculated – The tax is charged on the “gain” (the difference between the price you paid for the property and the price you sell it for); after deducting allowable expenses such as legal fees, stamp duty paid at purchase, and costs of improvement works.
- Reliefs and Allowances – Certain reliefs may reduce your liability, for example if you lived in the property for part of the ownership period.
- Deadlines – You must report the sale and pay any CGT due to HMRC within 60 days of completion. Missing the deadline can lead to penalties and interest charges.
Your Questions Answered
Yes! Selling a house involves preparing and managing legally binding contracts, responding to enquiries, and transferring ownership. A solicitor ensures the process is handled correctly and protects you from potential disputes. Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you through the process.
Typically, it takes 8-12 weeks from accepting an offer to completion, although the timeframe depends on factors such as the buyer’s mortgage, property chain, and how quickly enquiries are resolved.
You will usually need the title deeds, property information forms, and details of any warranties, guarantees, or planning permissions. We’ll guide you through what’s required and handle the preparation of your contract pack.
The sale only becomes legally binding at the exchange of contracts. Until then, either party can withdraw without penalty.
On completion, the buyer’s solicitor transfers the purchase money to us. Once received, we arrange repayment of any existing mortgage, pay estate agent fees, and transfer the balance to you. At this point, ownership of the property passes to the buyer.
No! Your solicitor will repay your existing mortgage directly from the proceeds of the sale on completion.
Common fees include your solicitor’s charges, estate agent commission, mortgage repayment fees (if applicable), and any outstanding service charges or ground rent. We’ll provide a clear breakdown at the outset, or you can get a quote here.
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