How to sell a property during probate — marketing before the grant, CGT, empty property insurance, and the conveyancing process.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Estate Assets guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 14 min.
You can usually market the property, instruct an estate agent, accept an offer, and prepare conveyancing before probate is granted. You cannot normally exchange contracts or complete the transfer until the grant of probate or letters of administration has been issued.
It depends on the grant, the buyer, the chain, and the property condition. GOV.UK says probate is usually issued within 12 weeks of submitting the application, but missing documents, IHT checks, caveats, or HMCTS queries can take longer. Conveyancing can then add further time.
Not always. Auction buyers may accept contents, but most open-market buyers expect a presentable property. Clearance, cleaning, and basic security costs can usually be recorded as estate expenses if they preserve or help sell the estate asset.
Yes. Auction can suit a probate property that needs work or where the estate needs a fixed timetable. Set a careful reserve, get valuation evidence, and make sure the auction pack tells buyers that completion depends on the estate's authority to sell.
Tell the lender about the death. Interest may continue and buildings insurance usually must stay in place. The mortgage is normally repaid from the sale proceeds unless life insurance or estate funds clear it earlier.
If the grant names multiple acting executors, the conveyancer will usually need all acting executors to sign the sale paperwork. Discuss the sale route early so one executor does not block exchange or completion late in the process.