Sell Your Inherited Property Fast
Inherited property from a loved one, but don’t want to let it out and manage tenants? Sell it for cash and enjoy your future.
Sell Your Inherited House Fast With Certainty
Whether you are looking to sell an inherited property or trying to plan for the eventuality of someone dying, we understand that this can be a stressful and emotional time.
Property Saviour specialise in buying all types of inherited properties for cash, whatever the condition.
We will buy any property, including houses, flats, bungalows, commercial properties, properties with short leases, squatter-occupied properties and even empty homes.
There is no need to worry if bungalows are harder to sell, as we will buy in any condition.
Sell with certainty & speed
Table of Contents
Can I sell a property I have inherited?
You can sell an inherited property but can’t complete the sale until you have a Grant of Probate or a Letter of Administration.
You can agree to sell the property in its current condition to us — no need to spend thousands on removal costs.
Here are some of the benefits of working with us:
- Sell inherited property within two weeks. Have cash in your bank account via your solicitors.
- No fees or deductions. We'll pay £1,500 towards your legal fees too.
- Cash offer means you can relax with no delays, endless viewings or hassle.
- House needs work? No worries. We'll even offer you a free house clearance if you need it.
Sell with certainty & speed
Why sellers like you trust us?
- We never instruct a fault finding surveyor unlike our competitors. We are ethical.
- The price agreed is the price you'll receive. We never drop the price just before the Exchange of Contracts.
- We don't insist that you use 'our recommended solicitors'. Use your own trusted solicitors.
We understand how you're feeling
You may be trying to cope with losing a loved one, struggling to think straight and being unable to decide how to progress with the house or assets. Firstly, we’re sorry you’ve found us in such sad circumstances.
But now you’re here, we’re confident we can help with your property dilemma. We’re a small team of professional and friendly individuals who have helped many clients during this difficult time.
Before selling your inherited property, it worth checking for rights of siblings or other beneficiaries named in the Will.
Whether you have obtained a Grant of Probate or awaiting probate whilst exploring the sale of an inherited property, we are here to help.
You can agree to sell to us, and we can assist you with expediting your probate application – and soon as you get it, we will be able to complete the purchase.
How long do I have to sell an inherited house?
If an Executor is seen to be dragging out the sale of an inherited property, it could mean rising probate bills, including holding costs of property & legal costs. In this scenario, the beneficiaries can sue the Executor, and in one recent case, an Executor has been jailed.
Process of Selling an Inherited House
This is the process for selling any probate property in England & Wales:
1. Apply for a Grant of Probate
A Grant of Probate is a legal document that allows the Executor of the estate to act on the Will.
You can apply for probate by yourself and save thousands of pounds in fees.
2. Arrange buildings insurance
Find out whether the property has building insurance. You will need to purchase specific empty or unoccupied property insurance cover.
3. Inform the mortgage lender
If the property has a mortage, you find out the name of the lender from the ‘Title Register’ of the property if there is one. This service costs £7 from the Land Registry’s official website.
4. Contact utility providers
Contact the Water, Gas, Electricity and Council Tax to inform them to put the bills on hold.
5. Consider if you wish to keep or sell the property
Many people feel that letting the property will cause extra stress and unnecessary attachment to it.
If memories of the past are likely to be painful, you will consider selling your inherited property rather than renting it.
As an Executor I found the process of selling a probate property complicated ... The process was relatively simple and Property Saviour covered my legal fees too.
What happens when you sell an inherited house?
The legal transfer of property takes place via solicitors for a consideration sum.
The seller’s solicitor then uses these funds to pay the mortgage and estate bills. The balance is sent to the beneficiaries.
The buyer becomes responsible for insurance, upkeep and bills relating to the property.
Inheritance situations
Inheritance can come in various forms, including:
- Inheriting from parents or grandparents (sole beneficiary);
- Inheriting with your brothers & sisters (joint beneficiaries);
- Inheriting from wife/partner (surviving partner).
Inheriting a house from your parents
If your mum or dad has passed and you’ve been left a property in their Will, you may be a little uncertain – scared, even – about how to proceed.
Owning a house you’ve suddenly inherited can be a bit of a shock. You could find yourself drowning in bills, and the new responsibilities all add up quickly.
- Does it need a lot of costly repair work or renovation?
- Is it structurally unsound?
- If it’s outside your local area, could you travel there to manage it?
- Would you want to move to live there?
- Have you got the financial means for the necessary upkeep, council tax and insurance?
- Does it hold painful memories?
- Would it be best to sell it?
Inheriting a house with siblings
- Let the house and split the rental income
- Live in the house together
- Sell the house and divide the proceeds between you
- One sibling buys the other one out
If you have inherited a house with siblings, you may wish to watch this video to help you make an informed choice.
Inheriting a house from a spouse, partner or civil partner
Married couples and civil partners
Losing your husband, wife or civil partner is undoubtedly a life-changing experience. So many emotions, so much paperwork and so many things to attend to.
Inhering their house, or their part of the house, could mean you can live out your future in financial comfort.
Spouse died without a Will
You can only truly inherit property under the rules of intestacy (known as “dying intestate”) if you were married or had a legal civil partner. You’ll still need to apply for probate to get legal permission to deal with your husband, wife or partner’s debts and personal affairs.
Once the estate has been valued – usually by a specialist probate solicitor – you can work out whether you can cover any remaining debts with your savings or income.
Often, selling the property will be the only option to release you from the obligation, but we can make this quick and painless to help you avoid possible repossession.
Can I force a sibling to sell an inherited house?
No. All beneficiaries must agree to the sale before the inherited property can be sold. If there are joint Executors, then both must agree.
Costs of inheriting a property
Bereavement brings some of the most painful and problematic periods in our lives. Financial burden can be one of them.
These are some of the most common costs associated with inherited property:
Council Tax
Council tax is payable on empty properties and can be as much as 200% of the normal rate.
Empty property insurance
Properties that are left vacant can end up with damp, pests or even anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and squatting.
Therefore, it is essential to buy comprehensive building insurance.
If the property is going to remain unoccupied for a long term, you need to inform the insurer. The majority of insurers will require you to switch off the water stopcock, electricity and gas to ensure safety.
Regular property visits should be carried out to check the condition and security of the building. We recommend taking photos of each visit as evidence for your records.
Mortgages, Equity Release Plans, Loans & Credit Cards
If the deceased left unpaid credit cards or unsecured loans, they don’t need to be paid back. You will have to inform the lenders.
When inheriting a property, it is not always the case that all mortgages and loans will have already been paid off.
If a property is left with a mortgage or loan outstanding, then you’ll need to contact lenders as soon as possible and explain the circumstances. Depending on the lender, they may ask you to continue making payments, or they may offer a payment holiday.
This gives you some time to make decisions without the extra burden of loan payments.
Maintenance
Maintenance is an essential part of owning a property. This can range widely, from mowing the lawn and pruning hedges to fixing a leak.
To plan and prioritise the necessary repairs, we suggest you visit the property and create a comprehensive list. You may even be able to ask a neighbour to provide access to a handyman.
Travelling for regular viewing
Never underestimate the amount of time and effort that may be required to manage an inherited property. If it is close to you, this may not be as much of an issue; however, if it is far away, you should consider the cost of travel and the time needed to visit regularly.
Weekly viewing inspections are a requirement for properties that have been empty for more than 3 months.
Sam helped me out on the sale of my grandma's house. It had been empty for 3 years... These guys stepped in and everything was plain-sailing from there.
Inheriting a house while on benefits
You must inform the relevant authorities, such as the Department of Work and Pensions, who administer your benefits.
Whether you get PIP (Personal Independence Payment), ESA (Employment Support Allowance) or Universal Credit – they have specialist advisors who will help you navigate what to do next. You’ll need to tell them you have a ‘change in circumstances’ and give them the new address.
Inheriting a house with a mortgage
When you inherit a house with a mortgage, since the deceased’s debts still have to be paid, you may find that there is not enough left after the settlement of the estate to pay the balance outstanding on the mortgage.
Did the deceased have life insurance?
Sometimes, the life insurance policy of the deceased will cover part or all of the mortgage debt. But if this option isn’t available, you must pay the monthly mortgage payments yourself – or risk repossession.
Will you struggle to afford the repayments?
Perhaps you’re not currently employed full-time or self-employed with variable income?
Maybe you’re sick, disabled or on benefits? Or you already have your own mortgage and a family to support, so you can’t find the extra monthly payments from your household budget.
Would you be better off by selling up?
An inherited property can often be a burden, many sellers feel that selling the property for cash is simply a less stressful option. According to ONS Wealth and Asset Survey, you aren’t alone.
Free of the burden, you can then use the proceeds from the sale to buy a property of your choice or treat yourself to a car, holiday or home improvements.
Do I have to pay inheritance tax on my parents house?
The standard inheritance tax rate in England is 40%. However, there is a tax-free threshold of £325,000, which means that you do not have to pay inheritance tax on the first £325,000 of your estate.
There are also a number of other allowances and exemptions that can reduce or eliminate your inheritance tax liability. For example, you may be able to claim an additional £175,000 allowance if you inherit your main residence from your spouse or civil partner.
If you are concerned about inheritance tax, you should speak to a financial advisor who can help you to understand your options.
Here are some of the most common allowances and exemptions for inheritance tax:
- Nil-rate band: The nil-rate band is the amount of your estate exempt from inheritance tax. For the 2023/24 tax year, the nil-rate band is £325,000.
- Main residence allowance: If you inherit your main residence from your spouse or civil partner, you may be able to claim an additional £175,000 allowance. This means that you would only have to pay inheritance tax on the value of your estate above £500,000.
- Gifts made seven years before death: If you give away gifts within seven years of your death, these gifts may be counted towards your estate for inheritance tax purposes. However, there are some exemptions for gifts that are made to certain people, such as your spouse or civil partner, your children, or your grandchildren.
- Charitable gifts: If you leave money or property to charity in your will, you may be able to claim a reduction in your inheritance tax liability.
Thankfully, there is no stamp duty on inheritance property. However, rules for inheritance tax can be complex. You should speak to a financial advisor if you are unsure whether to pay inheritance tax.
How to avoid paying Capital Gains Tax on inherited property in UK?
There are two ways to avoid paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on an inherited property in the UK:
Make the inherited property your principal residence.
If you inherit a property and live in it as your main residence, you will not have to pay CGT when selling it. This is because you will be able to claim Private Residence Relief.
To qualify for Private Residence Relief, you must have lived in the property as your main residence for at least two of the last five years. If you have not lived in the property for two out of the last five years, you may still be able to claim Private Residence Relief if you can show that you genuinely intend to live in the property as your main residence.
Sell the property immediately upon inheriting it.
If you sell the property immediately on inheriting it, you may not have to pay CGT on any profit you make from the sale provided that property hasn’t ‘gained in value’. This is because the gain will be considered a ‘disposal by reason of death’ and exempt from CGT.
However, you should note that if you sell the property immediately, you cannot claim Private Residence Relief if you subsequently decide to live in the property as your main residence.
Here are some additional tips for avoiding CGT on an inherited property:
- Ensure that you understand the definition of ‘main residence’ for CGT purposes.
- Keep good records of your time spent living on the property.
- Consider selling the property immediately if you are not sure whether you will be able to claim Private Residence Relief.
How to sell inherited property FAST?
If you’ve just suffered the loss of a loved one, perhaps after a long illness or stay in residential care, you’re unlikely to be in the right zone emotionally to cope with various methods of sale available to you, including:
- Auctioning your inherited home
- Estate agents
- Cash house buyers.
Auctioning your inherited home
There are several considerations when it comes to auctioning your inherited property, including:
- You will need to allow 4 weeks of marketing prior to the auction and then another 4 weeks to wait for the sale to complete if you are successful in selling.
- Not all types of properties are suitable for auction.
- You’d have to put in a low guide price to ‘generate interest’; however, you could end up giving away your property.
- Not all property auctions are suitable – for example, some auctioneers specialise in selling commercial property on behalf of banks, administrators and councils.
- There are upfront fees to pay which are non-refundable, such as solicitors’ fees for a legal pack, search fees and auction entry fees.
- There’s no guarantee that your property will even sell.
- Buyer can back out of the sale, leaving you with the dilemma of instructing a litigation solicitor at £300/per hour plus VAT.
- In the above scenario, the auctioneer will deduct his commission and ask you to re-enter the property into the next auction!
In the so-called Modern Method of Auction, sellers are told it is a free sale because the buyer will pay their fees. The buyer ends up paying £9,600 in ‘buyers’ premium’, which the auctioneer split up with their introducing agent 50:50.
Naturally, the buyer may feel he/she overpaid for the property or cannot raise a mortgage and, therefore, walk away! The auctioneer will bank this fee, leaving you high and dry.
Even if you get lucky to sell the property, the buyer will have paid up to £10,000 LESS when bidding and you are worse off – in a ‘free auction’.
We don’t believe it is fair that you take all the risk, and the auctioneer gets paid first.
You may want to start a new relationship and clear bad memories of the past by selling your old house. Or perhaps you find yourself in deep financial distress, bailiffs hounding you, multiple CCJs or threats of repossession.
Estate Agents
Estate agents can offer you an opportunity to sell your inherited home on the open market. These are considerations that can hinder a quick sale:
- Buyers may not be able to get a mortgage especially if your property is in poor condition.
- You could spend thousands on house clearance (we offer this for free).
- Precious time is wasted as estate agents tend to over-value your home to win your business.
- Their only strategy to ‘sell your home’ is to reduce the price again and again.
- Estate agents can bring in phantom buyers the moment you serve them with notice.
Cash House Buyers
- A quick hassle free sale, usually within 10 days or at a timeframe that suits you.
- Sell in any condition, and we’ll do the free house clearance.
- £1,500 towards your legal fees.
- Yes, you can use your trusted family solicitor.
Free house clearance: our gift to you
When a family member dies suddenly or they have suffered long-term ill health, they may have accumulated a lot of possessions that the next-of-kin no longer wants, nor have space for.
Older people may tend to hoard ‘collections’ of treasured memories. However, out-of-date items and unhygienic waste can pile up. Have you been wondering how to cope with all the clutter before you sell up?
When selling via an estate agent, this is all the seller’s responsibility to deal with – and it can be extremely upsetting.
At Property Saviour, we understand these circumstances can be incredibly painful for the loved ones left behind.
We offer you a free house clearance service with any house sale.
Should you require this, please ask. Get in touch to see how we can help you.
Sell with certainty & speed
Healing from bereavement
Depending on the circumstances, some sellers decide to sell up and move on to help themselves heal from the trauma of bereavement. If your loved one died in the house, or you were a long-term carer for them, we can help you release cash from their estate.
You won’t need to move until you’re ready; we’ll work with you to find a date to exchange contracts so you won’t end up sofa-surfing in between.
Here’s why sellers trust us:
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.
