Selling a church building can be a complex process, but with the right approach, it can be done smoothly and efficiently. This guide will walk you through the key steps and considerations when selling a church property.
Table of Contents
Selling a Church
As attendance figures drop in congregation, it is no longer viable to hold weekly worship services, and the church is inevitably closed.
An empty church with a leaky roof can result in wet rot, damp and subsidence.
Vacant churches become derelict or appear abandoned so how do you sell it?
According to Wikipedia, most churches were built between the 11th and 14th centuries as Christianity grew in Western Europe.
Wealthy landlords donated land for church buildings, which was earmarked specifically for religious buildings. This explains why the majority of church buildings are either listed or come with restrictive covenants.
Listed buildings are expensive to maintain and heat. Thieves steal led metal used for roofing. If you are thinking of selling a church building, we would be happy to help.
Who Owns the Church?
If you’re thinking about selling a church building, you’ve come to the right place. It’s not something people do every day, so let’s break it down and make it simple.
First things first, who actually owns the building? It might sound obvious, but church ownership can be a bit tricky. Some churches own their buildings outright, while others are held in trust by the denomination. And sometimes, there are weird rules about what you can and can’t do with the property. It’s worth checking your church paperwork and maybe having a chat with a solicitor to be sure.
Valuing Your Church
Now, how much is your church worth? That’s the million-pound question (sometimes literally!). It’s not just about the bricks and mortar. You’ve got to think about:
- Where it is (location, location, location!)
- What shape it’s in
- Whether it’s a historic building
- What’s happening in the local property market
Getting a professional valuation is a smart move. Look for someone who knows their stuff when it comes to church buildings.
Selling Options
The Church of England has a prescribed process for the disposal of buildings. As your church is independent, these are options available to you:
- Go with a commercial estate agent
- Try your luck at auction
- Sell to a cash buyer (like us at Property Saviour)
Each way has its ups and downs. Agents might get you more money, but it could take ages. Auctions are quick but might not get top dollar. Cash buyers like us? We’re fast and reliable, but we might not match the highest market price.
Preparing for Sale
Before you put that ‘For Sale’ sign up, it’s worth doing a bit of prep:
- Fix any big problems if you can
- Get all your paperwork in order
- Think about getting planning permission for other uses
- Clear out the clutter
If you have a team of volunteer builders, it is worth fixing any damp, subsidence and removing Japanese Knotweed from the church grounds.
You’ll have to pay for asbestos removal by specialists. Concerns may be raised over a graveyard and potentially relocating human remains.
However, any buyer would require warranties, and this may be tricky as builders will have carried out work in goodwill with no paperwork. This only applies if you try to sell your church via a commercial property agent.
The Selling Process
Once you’re ready to sell, it usually goes like this:
- Put the word out
- Talk to buyers
- Agree on a price
- Let the lawyers do their thing
- Hand over the keys
How long it takes can vary a lot. It depends on how you’re selling and who’s buying.
What About the Money?
Oh, and a heads up – there might be rules about what you can do with the money from the sale. Many churches have to use it for religious or charitable stuff. Check with your church bigwigs and lawyers on this one.
Quick Tips
Some quick tips:
- Be upfront about any issues with the building
- Think about how your congregation might feel and keep them in the loop
- Do a bit of digging on potential buyers
- Keep track of all your conversations and agreements
Why Choose Property Saviour?
Why consider Property Saviour? Well, we make things easy:
- We’ll buy your church no matter what state it’s in
- We pay cash, so no messing about with mortgages
- We can move fast – as quick as 10 days if you need
- We’ll chip in £1,500 towards your legal costs
- We stick to our word on price – no last-minute haggling
If you’re thinking, “This sounds good, tell me more,” then give us a shout. We’re here to help you through the whole process.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
