So, you’re thinking of selling your house. You may be upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or cashing in on a hot market. Whatever your reason, there’s one part of the process that trips up a lot of UK homeowners—the legal side.
And that’s what we’ll walk through today: the legal steps to sell your home in the UK. Not the flashy stuff, like staging or negotiating. No, we’re getting into the legal nitty-gritty that ensures the sale happens without a hitch.
Let me show you how to get it right from the start.
Why Legal Matters When Selling Your Home
Here’s the thing. Selling a house in the UK isn’t as simple as sticking a “For Sale” sign outside and waiting for offers. Behind every successful sale is a solid legal process.
The legal side ensures:
- You’re protected as the seller.
- The buyer gets a clear and fair deal.
- The transaction is recognised and registered properly with the HM Land Registry.
Miss a step, and you could delay the sale—or worse, face legal trouble later.
Now, let me tell you about the key legal steps to sell your home, broken down in a way that makes sense.
Step 1: Instruct a Solicitor or Conveyancer
First things first, you’ll need a licensed solicitor or conveyancer. This legal expert will handle the paperwork, liaise with the buyer’s legal team, and oversee the contracts and transfer of ownership.
Here’s what they do for you:
- Prepare the legal contract.
- Deal with the title deeds and verify that you legally own the property.
- Handle all official communication with the buyer’s solicitor.
- Manage exchange and completion dates.
- Transfer the funds to your account after completion.
Tip: You don’t need to wait for an offer before instructing a solicitor. Getting one early speeds things up.
You can search for regulated solicitors via the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Step 2: Fill Out Property Forms
Your solicitor will ask you to complete several forms about your property. These are vital, as they give the buyer detailed info about what they’re buying.
Common Legal Forms Include:
- TA6 (Property Information Form): General details like boundaries, disputes, utility suppliers, and warranties.
- TA10 (Fittings and Contents Form): What you’re leaving behind (e.g., carpets, curtains, garden shed).
- TA7 (Leasehold Information Form): Only needed if you’re selling a leasehold property.
These forms must be accurate and honest. Leave something out, and you could face legal action later.
Step 3: Draft the Contract
Once the buyer’s solicitor has all your property details and searches are underway, your solicitor will draft a contract of sale. This outlines:
- The sale price
- Property boundaries
- Fixtures and fittings included
- Completion date (if known)
- Any special conditions
Your solicitor will negotiate with the buyer’s team until both parties agree.
Example: Let’s say you agreed to leave behind a washing machine. If that’s in the contract, it becomes legally binding.
Step 4: Respond to Enquiries
Once the buyer’s solicitor reviews the draft contract and property forms, they’ll likely raise enquiries. These are legal questions your solicitor must respond to, often needing input from you.
These questions can include:
- Planning permissions or building regulations for any extensions
- Clarification on boundary disputes
- Guarantees for double glazing or damp proofing
Don’t panic if this takes time. It’s normal. But the quicker you and your solicitor respond, the smoother the sale.
Step 5: Exchange Contracts
This is the big one. Until now, either party could walk away with no legal consequences. But once contracts are exchanged, things get real.
Here’s what happens:
- Both solicitors agree and sign the final contract.
- A date for completion is set.
- The buyer pays a deposit (usually 10% of the sale price).
- Both parties are now legally bound to complete the sale.
If the buyer pulls out after this, they could lose their deposit, and vice versa.
UK Example: If you’re selling a semi-detached in Croydon for £450,000, the buyer would typically pay a £45,000 deposit at this stage.
Step 6: Completion Day
This is the day you hand over the keys, and the buyer gets legal ownership of the property.
On completion day:
- The buyer’s solicitor transfers the full balance to your solicitor.
- Your solicitor confirms receipt of funds.
- The estate agent releases the keys.
- You officially no longer own the property.
After legal fees, estate agent commissions, and your mortgage (if any) are paid off, the remaining funds are transferred to your account.
Step 7: Pay Off Mortgage (if applicable)
If you still owe money on your mortgage, your solicitor will pay it off directly using the sale proceeds.
They’ll request a redemption figure from your lender (the exact amount needed to clear your mortgage) and settle it before sending you your profits.
Make sure you don’t cancel your direct debit until your solicitor gives the all-clear.
Step 8: Notify HM Land Registry
Finally, the buyer’s solicitor registers the new ownership with the HM Land Registry.
As the seller, you don’t have to do anything here, but it’s good to know the process.
Fun Fact: Every property transaction in England and Wales is logged at the HM Land Registry for public record.
Legal Costs to Expect
You’re probably wondering, “What’s this going to cost me?”
Here’s a rough breakdown of legal fees in the UK:
| Legal Service | Average Cost (UK) |
| Conveyancing Fees | £500 – £1,500 + VAT |
| Mortgage Redemption Fees | £100 – £300 (if applicable) |
| Leasehold Supplement (if applicable) | £100 – £300 |
Always ask for a full quote before instructing a solicitor. Some offer fixed fees; others charge based on property price.
Legal Pitfalls to Avoid When Selling
Let me quickly warn you about a few common mistakes sellers make when it comes to legal steps:
Not instructing a solicitor early
This delays everything. Get one before listing your property.
Hiding known issues
If you lie or omit important details (like a neighbour dispute or a roof problem), the buyer can sue you later.
Ignoring enquiries
Delays cause buyers to lose confidence. Be prompt and honest when responding to questions.
Exchanging without a mortgage cleared
Don’t exchange contracts until your solicitor confirms the mortgage redemption figure is sorted.
Final Tips Before You Sell
Now that you know the legal steps to sell your home, here’s how to make your life easier:
- Get your documents ready early: title deeds, warranties, planning permissions, and utility info.
- Choose a solicitor with good reviews and a direct line—nothing’s worse than chasing them constantly.
- Stay flexible: delays happen, but keeping communication open helps things run smoothly.
- Budget wisely: legal costs, estate agent fees, removal costs—they all add up.
Wrapping Up
Selling your home doesn’t need to be a legal nightmare. Once you understand the legal steps to sell your home, it becomes a straightforward, manageable process.
From instructing your solicitor to exchanging contracts and completing the sale, each step builds toward a successful handover.
So, don’t skip the legals. It’s what turns your property sale from “pending” to “done deal.”
And if you’ve still got questions? We’ve got all the answers at Jplistings.co.uk
