Selling a House Checklist: Every Step Explained

Selling a house checklist can make the whole process feel much more manageable. There are valuations to arrange, documents to find, viewings to prepare for and legal forms to complete. Knowing what comes next helps you stay organised and avoid unnecessary delays.

The basic order is simple: work out your finances, value and prepare your home, get the paperwork ready, market the property, accept an offer, complete the legal work, exchange contracts and move out on completion day.

This selling your home checklist takes you through each stage in order, with a tickable list of the documents you are likely to need along the way.

What is the checklist for selling a house?

A typical selling a house checklist has around 10 key stages: check your finances, get a valuation, choose how to sell, arrange an EPC, gather your paperwork, prepare and list your home, hold viewings, accept an offer, complete conveyancing and exchange contracts, then complete the sale and hand over the keys.

Before you put your house on the market

Decide whether selling is the right move

Start with the reason you are moving and what needs to happen next. Are you upsizing, downsizing, relocating or selling without buying another property? Your plans can affect your budget, timescale and whether you will be part of a property chain.

If you are buying at the same time, think about what you need from your next home before you list. It can save you from accepting an offer and then realising there is nowhere suitable to move to.

Work out your finances, mortgage and equity

Ask your mortgage lender for an up-to-date balance and check whether an early repayment charge or exit fee could apply. Then estimate your equity by subtracting the mortgage balance from the likely sale price.

Remember to budget for selling costs too, including legal fees, your estate agent, an EPC if you need one and removals. If you are buying another home, include the costs of that move in your wider budget.

Get an accurate valuation

Before deciding on an asking price, get a realistic view of what your property could sell for. Look at recent sold prices nearby and compare similar homes currently on the market. You can also book your free valuation with Purplebricks for a local view of your property.

Choose how to sell

You can use a traditional high-street agent, an online or hybrid agent, or sell privately. Compare more than the headline fee. Look at what is included, how viewings are handled, where your home will be advertised and what support you will get from listing to completion.

Percentage-based fees rise with the sale price. Fixed-fee models can make the cost easier to understand upfront. Choose the option that gives you the right balance of price, support and control.

Order your EPC

Most homes need a valid Energy Performance Certificate before they are marketed. EPCs are normally valid for 10 years, so check the government register first. If yours has expired or you do not have one, arrange an assessment before your property goes live.

Gather the documents you will need to sell

Getting your paperwork together early can prevent avoidable delays later. Useful documents include your title information, planning and building regulations approvals, FENSA or CERTASS certificates, guarantees, warranties and details of any work carried out on the property.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will tell you exactly what is needed for your sale, especially if the property is leasehold or has had significant alterations.

Prepare and present your home

You do not need to completely redecorate before selling. Focus on the things that make the property easier to view and understand.

• Declutter busy rooms and clear key surfaces.

• Fix obvious small repairs, such as loose handles or broken bulbs

• Clean kitchens, bathrooms, windows and floors.

• Tidy the entrance, front garden and any outdoor space.

• Make sure each room has a clear purpose.

• Remove anything that makes rooms feel unnecessarily cramped.

Agree the right asking price

An asking price should reflect the property, recent comparable sales and current local demand. Starting too high can reduce interest and leave the listing sitting on the market. Starting too low may mean you do not test what buyers are genuinely willing to pay.

Use your valuation as a starting point, then agree a pricing strategy you are comfortable with.

While your house is on the market

Photos, floorplan and the listing

Your listing needs to help buyers understand the property quickly. Good photography, a clear floorplan and an accurate description all matter. Make sure important details such as tenure, room sizes, parking and outdoor space are easy to find.

Handling viewings

Keep the property reasonably viewing-ready and make access as easy as you can. Buyers may want evening or weekend appointments, so some flexibility can help.

Before each viewing, open curtains, clear everyday clutter and make sure buyers can move comfortably through each room. There is no need to over-stage it. Clean, light and easy to understand is enough.

Reviewing and accepting an offer

The highest offer is not always automatically the strongest. Ask about the buyer’s position too. Are they in a chain? Do they have a mortgage agreement in principle? Are they selling another property?

Once you are happy, you can accept the offer. In England and Wales, the sale is not legally binding at this point. That happens at exchange of contracts.

After you accept an offer: the conveyancing checklist

Instruct a conveyancing solicitor

You can instruct a solicitor or conveyancer before you find a buyer, which means some of the initial paperwork can be prepared early. Our guide to Conveyancing for Sellers explains what happens during the legal side of the sale.

Complete the property forms

In England and Wales, sellers are commonly asked to complete a TA6 Property Information Form and a TA10 Fittings and Contents Form. Leasehold sellers will normally have additional information to provide.

Answer carefully and accurately. If you are unsure about a question, ask your solicitor rather than guessing.

Reply to enquiries and the survey

Your buyer’s solicitor may raise enquiries about the title, boundaries, alterations, guarantees or information in your forms. Reply as promptly as you can and send supporting documents when requested.

The buyer may also arrange a survey. If it identifies an issue, they may ask questions, request further checks or try to renegotiate. You do not have to agree automatically, but it helps to understand the evidence behind the request.

Exchange contracts

Once the legal work is complete and everyone in the chain is ready, contracts can be exchanged. At this point the sale becomes legally binding and the completion date is agreed.

Make sure your removals, onward move and insurance arrangements line up with the agreed date.

Completion and moving day

Your completion-day checklist

• Pack and remove your remaining belongings.

• Take final meter readings.

• Photograph meter readings for your records.

• Leave any agreed fixtures and fittings in place.

• Make sure the property is reasonably clean and empty.

• Keep keys together ready for handover.

• Redirect your post and update important accounts with your new address.

Moving out and handing over the keys

On completion day, the buyer’s money is transferred through the solicitors. Your solicitor will confirm when completion has taken place. The keys can then be released to the buyer, usually through the estate agent.

Do not hand over the keys early unless your solicitor has specifically confirmed that you should.

Documents you need to sell a house: checklist

The exact paperwork depends on your property, but this is a useful starting checklist for sellers in England and Wales:

• Proof of identity and address

• Title deeds or title information, where available

• Valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

• TA6 Property Information Form

• TA10 Fittings and Contents Form

• TA7 Leasehold Information Form, if applicable

• Leasehold management or sales pack, if applicable

• Planning permission for relevant alterations

• Building Regulations approvals and completion certificates

• FENSA or CERTASS certificates for replacement windows and doors

• Guarantees and warranties for work such as damp treatment or a new roof

• Electrical or gas certificates you hold

• Party wall agreements, if relevant

• Japanese knotweed management information, if relevant

How much does it cost to sell a house?

Selling costs vary with the property, the services you choose and whether your mortgage or tenure creates extra charges. As a rough guide, common costs include:

For more detail on legal costs, see our solicitors’ fees guide.

How long does it take to sell a house?

There is no fixed timeline. GOV.UK says selling a home takes about five months on average, and chains can make the process longer. The period from accepting an offer to completion often takes several weeks and can stretch beyond 8 to 12 weeks in more complicated sales.

Leasehold information, title issues, surveys, mortgage applications and slow replies to enquiries can all add time. Getting your documents ready and instructing your conveyancer early can help keep things moving.

Selling a house checklist for Scotland

The selling process is different in Scotland. In most cases, a seller needs a Home Report before the property is marketed. It contains a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire.

The legal process and way offers are made also differ from England and Wales, so use a solicitor familiar with Scottish property transactions from the start.

Selling a house doesn’t always go exactly to plan, and some delays will be outside your control. However, there are a few common mistakes that can slow things down or even put a sale at risk.

Setting an unrealistic asking price

Pricing your property too high can put buyers off and leave your home sitting on the market for longer than necessary.

How to avoid it: Look at recent sold prices for similar properties in your area and get an accurate valuation before deciding on your asking price.

Leaving paperwork until the last minute

Missing certificates, guarantees or planning documents can cause delays once your buyer’s solicitor starts asking questions.

How to avoid it: Gather your paperwork before putting your property on the market, particularly documents relating to extensions, alterations or major improvements.

Taking too long to respond to enquiries

Once you’ve accepted an offer, your solicitor will need information from you to keep the sale moving. Delayed responses can slow down the conveyancing process.

How to avoid it: Complete property forms promptly, respond to enquiries as quickly as possible and keep in regular contact with your solicitor.

Not being upfront about property issues

Failing to disclose known problems, such as previous flooding or disputes with neighbours, could lead to complications later in the sale.

How to avoid it: Answer property information forms honestly and accurately. If you’re unsure whether something needs to be disclosed, ask your solicitor.

Overlooking your property’s presentation

Poor-quality photographs, cluttered rooms or an unclear property listing can make it harder to attract interest, even if your home has plenty to offer.

How to avoid it: Take time to prepare your home for photographs and viewings. Make sure your listing highlights its key features and gives buyers an accurate picture of the property.

Accepting an offer without checking the buyer’s position

The highest offer isn’t always the strongest. A buyer who hasn’t arranged their finances or needs to sell another property first could introduce additional delays.

How to avoid it: Ask your estate agent to check whether the buyer has a mortgage agreement in principle, a property to sell or any other circumstances that could affect their ability to proceed.

Download your free selling a house checklist

Want something you can keep beside you throughout the move? Use the tickable checklist below as your quick reference, or download the printable version when available on this page.

• Check mortgage balance and selling budget

• Get a property valuation

• Choose how you want to sell

• Check or order your EPC

• Gather property documents

• Prepare the home for photos and viewings

• Agree an asking price and launch the listing

• Hold viewings and review offers

• Instruct your solicitor or conveyancer

• Complete property forms and answer enquiries

• Exchange contracts

• Arrange removals and complete the sale

[CMS NOTE: Add downloadable PDF version of the checklist here.]

How Purplebricks can help you sell

Selling comes with a lot of moving parts. Purplebricks gives you a clear way to get your home on the market, with fixed-fee selling options and support through the process.

Sell your house quickly with Purplebricks, or book your free valuation to start with a clearer idea of what your home could be worth.

Frequently asked questions

What do you legally have to declare when selling a house?

You should answer the formal property information forms accurately and disclose relevant known issues when asked. This can include disputes, boundaries, alterations, planning matters and other information about the property. Do not deliberately hide a known problem. If you are unsure what needs to be disclosed, ask your solicitor or conveyancer.

What is the most important thing when selling a house?

Preparation. A realistic asking price, accurate listing and complete paperwork give your sale a stronger start. Getting your documents together and instructing your conveyancer early can also reduce delays once you accept an offer.

What devalues a house the most?

There is no single answer. Serious structural problems, unresolved damp, legal or title issues and poor condition can all affect what buyers are willing to pay. Local factors matter too, so the impact depends on the property and the market around it.

Am I liable for repairs after I sell my house?

Usually, the buyer takes responsibility for the property after completion. However, a seller could face problems if information provided during the sale was inaccurate or misleading. If a buyer raises a claim after completion, take legal advice rather than assuming you are automatically responsible or automatically protected.

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

GOV.UK says selling a home takes about five months on average. Your sale may be quicker or slower depending on the chain, mortgage applications, surveys, legal enquiries and the property itself. A straightforward chain-free transaction can move faster than a complex sale.

What documents do I need to sell my house?

Common documents include an EPC, title information, property information and fittings forms, planning and building regulations paperwork, window certificates and any guarantees you hold. Leasehold sellers normally need extra information from the freeholder or managing agent.

Ready to start?

You do not need to tackle everything at once. Start with your finances, valuation and paperwork, then work through each stage in order. When you are ready, book your free valuation and use this selling a house checklist to keep your move on track.