Selling A Property

When you are planning to sell your property, the earlier you instruct us, the better. That way we can have all the paperwork prepared and ready to go so that, as and when you find your lucky buyer, things can proceed as quickly as possible.

At Lovell Chohan, we are leading experts in selling property in London and the South East, so can offer a swift, smooth and reliable service to match your needs.

Step-by-step support to sell your home

We know that selling your home can be a stressful time. By offering step-by-step support for the whole process, we can take the effort and worry out of the legal side of selling a property for you, giving you the freedom to focus on all of the other issues you need to deal with.

Fast, clear communication with our team

When you work with our residential property team to sell your home, you will have a dedicated point of contact who will keep you updated and be available to answer your questions whenever you need them.

We are happy to work by email, over the phone and via video conferencing, making our residential property sales service as convenient and accessible as possible for you.

Independently accredited expertise

With many years of experience across our team, you can be confident that you and your property transaction are in safe hands. We are accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), reflecting the high standards of our service.

Take the stress out of selling your home

Our goal is to make selling a property straightforward and stress-free, while helping you to avoid any problems with the sale, now or in the future.

Speak to our residential property experts today

For reliable, expert advice on selling property in London and the South East, please get in touch with our highly experienced conveyancing solicitors now.

Please contact your local Lovell Chohan office in offices in Hounslow, Slough, Twickenham, Mayfair or Chancery Lane.

Looking for a quick answer about selling a property? Please feel free to ask us a question.

How selling a property works

Here's what we will typically do throughout the sale process, representing your best interests and dealing with the buyer's solicitor at every stage.

First Stage: Property Sale Agreed

Your Solicitor

Obtains your title deeds and asks you to fill in a detailed questionnaire.
Prepares and sends out a package of legal information and a contract for sale.
Requests a settlement figure for your mortgage and secured loans, if any.
Liaises with all relevant parties and negotiates a date for moving ('completion').

Stage Two: Exchange of Contracts

Your Solicitor

Receives the deposit as a down payment from the purchaser’s solicitors
Organises final accounts and prepares a final settlement for your approval. Collects any balance of funds required.
Approves the deed of transfer and arranges for you to sign.

Stage Three: Completion

Your Solicitor

Pays off the mortgage, if you have one, and notifies HM Land Registry.
Hands over the deeds and sends balance of money to you.

Have a question about selling your home?

If you have any concerns about the residential property sales process, please feel free to ask us a question.

Selling a Property FAQs

We know that many people have questions about how selling property works, so the following are some of the most common questions we hear and the answers you need.

How long does it take to sell a property in the UK?

How long it takes to find a buyer will depend on the circumstances, but once a sale has been agreed, most residential property purchases can be completed in around 6-12 weeks.

What costs are there when selling a property in the UK?

There are various costs involved in selling a property in England and Wales, including:

Estate agents’ fees – Usually either a percentage of the sale price or a fixed fee.

Conveyancing fees – For the legal process of selling the property, including preparing the contracts of sale, exchange of contracts with the buyer’s solicitor and handling the transfer of funds.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) fees – You are legally required to have an up-to-date EPC when advertising your property for sale.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – May be due on the property if it was not your main residence.

Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Yes, all sellers are required to have an EPC when selling a property. The assessment must be carried out and the certificate received before you place your house on the market as the estate agent will need to include this information as part of the advert for your property.

Do I need a property survey when selling a house?

In England and Wales, the seller is not required to have a property survey as it is for the buyer to investigate the condition of the property and identify any potential issues.

When does the sale of a property become legally binding?

Property sales become legally binding on both parties once the contracts have been exchanged. Before exchange of contracts, either party can pull out of the sale with no legal consequences.

If you, as the seller, were to try to pull out after exchange of contracts, the buyer can take legal action to force you to sell the property on the agreed terms.

If the buyer tries to pull out, you can keep their deposit and you could also take legal action against them.

Do I have to pay stamp duty to sell a property?

No, in the UK it is the buyer who has to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), commonly referred to as ‘stamp duty’.

Will I have to pay Capital Gains Tax when selling a property?

You will usually only need to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if the property was not your main home. CGT is paid on the amount in which the property has increased in value since you purchased it, not the total sale price.

You will usually have to pay Capital Gains Tax on:

Second homes
Buy-to-let property
Investment properties
Inherited property (if the property has increased in value since you inherited it)

Speak to our residential conveyancing solicitors in London and South East England