Selling Inherited Property
Losing someone close is never easy, and taking time to grieve is important. Having to deal with the practicalities of selling an inherited property during this period can make an already difficult time feel even more overwhelming, particularly if the loss was unexpected, or the estate is more complex than you anticipated.
Whether you have already received probate, are still waiting for it, or simply want to understand your options, We Buy Any House is here to help, on your timeline, and at your pace.
Below you can find out how our dedicated inheritance team can simplify the process of selling an inherited property, providing a fast, supportive and hassle-free solution when you need it most.
Trusted since 2008, offer in 15 minutes, completion in as little as 3 days
Looking to Sell an Inherited Property
Inheriting a property can be emotionally and practically overwhelming. You may still be grieving, navigating probate, or simply unsure what to do next, and that’s completely understandable.
Deciding what to do with an inherited house is one of the most significant decisions you may face, especially if you don’t plan to live there or need to avoid the costs of maintaining an empty property.
At We Buy Any House, we specialise in helping families sell inherited homes quickly and with minimum stress. Here’s what that means in practice:
- Free cash offer in 15 minutes. No obligation, no pressure
- We cover all solicitor and conveyancing fees. Nothing to pay at any stage
- Complete in as little as 3 working days once contracts are exchanged
- No viewings, no estate agent, no chain. Completely managed by our team
Even if probate has not yet been granted, we can begin the conversation, carry out a valuation, and have everything prepared so you can move immediately once legal authority to sell is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions on Inheriting Property
In this short video, our property specialists answer the questions we hear most often from people dealing with inherited properties, including:
- Whether you need probate before you can sell
- What taxes you may need to pay (and when)
- How long the process takes compared to the open market
- What We Buy Any House covers in terms of fees and legal costs
If you have a question that isn’t covered, call us free on 0800 652 8612, our inheritance team is available 7 days a week.
We Buy Any House
We Buy Any House is a professional property buying company specialising in the quick house sale market. We purchase properties from homeowners who need to sell fast and can complete on a timeline to suit you.
We are highly experienced in buying inherited properties, having helped thousands of families in similar situations since our founding in 2008.
If you want to understand how inherited properties are valued before you commit, our guide explains the process and what affects your offer
We are proud members of the Property Redress Scheme, ensuring every sale is conducted with complete transparency and fairness.
When you accept our cash offer, your sale is guaranteed, there is no risk of the sale falling through, no chains, and no estate agent delays.
For families who have already been through enough, that certainty matters enormously. Read our customer reviews.
If you’d like to find out more or discuss your situation, please get in touch on 0800 652 8612.
How Does the Quick House Sales Process Work?
If you’re selling inherited property and you’d like a quick house sale, you’ll likely want to understand how the process works before making a commitment.
It’s important to keep yourself as informed as possible, so you can ensure you’re making the right decision for your circumstances.
When selling your inherited property to We Buy Any House we will guide you through the following steps:
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Step 1
Decide on your next step
First, you need to ensure you want to sell your property. When you’ve inherited a new house, you should take the time to decide what the correct next step is for you.
There may also be other legal implications such as inheritance tax to consider when selling inherited property, so it’s important that you conduct thorough research before making a commitment.
Our guide to understanding probate and inheritance tax, covers the key considerations before you make any commitment.
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Step 2
Get in touch with We Buy Any House
Once you’ve made your decision, you can contact us by completing our simple online form or alternatively if you would like to speak to one of our inheritance property experts straight away you can call us on 0800 652 8612.
Even if probate has not yet been granted, don’t wait, we can begin the process, carry out a valuation, and have an offer ready so you can move quickly the moment you receive legal authority to sell.
Our team will be able to provide advice for your specific situation and will make you an offer for your inherited property using our market-leading valuation software.
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Step 3
Take you time to consider our offer
After we have provided you with your offer, we will give you time to consider whether you want to move forward with this.
Selling inherited property is a unique situation and one you likely haven’t been in before.
So if you have any further questions regarding the process, or any of the financial implications of selling inherited property you can get back in touch with your dedicated property expert by phone or email.
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Step 4
We handle the paperwork and legal proceedings
If you’d like to accept our final offer, we will start the quick house sales process. We’ll handle the legal fees and the majority of the paperwork.
We will guide you through the process of selling your inherited property to us, so you are fully equipped with the steps involved in the sale.
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Step 5
You receive your money
Finally, we’ll transfer your cash to you and take ownership of your house, enabling you to move on in a matter of days. We can complete in as little as 3 working days once contracts are exchanged, though if you need longer, we can work to a timeline that suits your circumstances.
If you would like more information about our quick house sales process, this can be found on our ‘How It Works’ page.
What Are the Advantages of Selling an Inherited Property to We Buy Any House?
If you’re due to inherit a property, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what to do with it. For many people, selling is the most practical option, especially during what can already be a difficult time.
Selling a house is widely considered one of life’s most stressful experiences, and this can feel even more overwhelming if you’ve recently lost a close family member or friend.
When selling an inherited property through a traditional estate agent, the process typically takes an average of 6 to 9 months, with no guarantee the sale will actually complete.
By choosing to sell your inherited property to We Buy Any House, you benefit from a fast, straightforward and hassle-free service. We manage all the paperwork and legal aspects of the sale, including solicitor fees and conveyancing costs, which We Buy Any House covers in full.
There are no estate agent commissions, no ongoing maintenance costs during a listing period, and no strangers walking through your loved one’s home for viewings.
Why People Often Choose to Sell an Inherited Property
You might decide to sell an inherited house for many reasons, including:
Ready to Sell Your Inherited Property?
Selling an inherited property doesn’t have to be complicated or drawn-out. We’ll give you a no-obligation cash offer within 15 minutes, and if you want to proceed, our team handles everything from there.
Our inheritance specialists are available 7 days a week. There are no fees to pay at any stage, and if you choose not to proceed after receiving your offer, there’s no pressure and nothing owed.
We Buy Any House Helps you Move on With Your Life
Since 2008, we have helped thousands of families sell inherited properties at one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Our dedicated inheritance team understands that every situation is different, from straightforward sole-ownership sales to complex estates involving multiple beneficiaries, outstanding mortgages, or tenanted properties.
We are regulated members of the Property Redress Scheme, giving you confidence that the process will be handled fairly and transparently from start to finish. Get a free, no-obligation offer in the next 15 minutes. If you choose not to proceed, there is no pressure and nothing to pay, ever
Do I Need to Pay Tax When Selling an Inherited Property?
There are some tax considerations that may apply when selling an inherited property, depending on your individual circumstances:
Inheritance Tax (IHT)
May be payable if the total value of the estate, including property, savings and other assets, exceeds the current HMRC threshold of £325,000.
For a property being left to a direct descendant (such as a child or grandchild), an additional Residence Nil-Rate Band of up to £175,000 may apply, bringing the effective threshold to £500,000 for many families.
IHT is usually settled from the estate before probate is granted. See our full Inheritance Tax FAQ for more detail.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Does not apply when you inherit a property. It only becomes relevant if you later sell the property for more than its value at the date of inheritance (its ‘probate value’).
In that case, CGT is calculated only on the gain made since inheritance, not the full sale price.
Selling quickly to We Buy Any House reduces the window during which the property might increase in value, and therefore reduces potential CGT exposure. See our full guide to Capital Gains Tax on inherited property.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Before selling, you will also need to ensure probate has been granted, which gives you the legal authority to sell the property. For a full guide, see our probate FAQ page.
The short answer is reassuring: You do not pay stamp duty when you inherit a property.
Not everyone will need to pay tax when selling an inherited property, as this depends on factors such as the estate value, available allowances and how long the property is held.
Probate and Tax Timing
Inheritance Tax must be paid (or a payment plan agreed with HMRC) before the Grant of Probate is issued. You cannot sell the property legally until probate is granted, but We Buy Any House can carry out a valuation, prepare all paperwork, and have an offer ready so you can move immediately once probate is confirmed.
Selling an Inherited Property and Probate: What You Need to Know
Probate is the legal process that gives you the authority to deal with a deceased person’s estate, including the right to sell any property they owned. Before the Grant of Probate is issued, you cannot legally complete a property sale. Here is what you need to know:
- Applying for probate: Once a death is registered and the will is located (or intestacy rules are confirmed if there is no will), an executor or administrator can apply to the Probate Registry. Simple estates may receive the Grant within 3-6 months; complex estates can take 12 months or longer.
- Can I start the sale process before probate? Yes. Although you cannot complete before probate is granted, We Buy Any House can carry out a valuation, make you a formal cash offer, and prepare all legal documentation in advance. When your Grant of Probate arrives, you can be ready to complete within days.
- What if I’m the executor and live overseas? We regularly work with executors based abroad. All paperwork can be handled remotely, and we can accommodate international solicitors. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
- What does We Buy Any House need from you? To begin the process, we need the address of the property, a brief description of its condition, and confirmation of who the executor(s) are.
We can take care of everything else.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Selling an Inherited Property
Inheriting a property can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes at an already emotional time.
To help make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, our experienced property specialists have answered some of the most common questions about selling an inherited home.
We also have a dedicated FAQs page if you’d like more detailed information. If you still have questions or would prefer to speak to someone directly, please contact us on 0800 652 8612, our team will be happy to help.
Yes
We Buy Any House specialises in buying inherited properties quickly and with minimum stress.
We cover all solicitor and conveyancing fees so there is nothing for you to pay at any stage. We can make you a free, no-obligation cash offer in 15 minutes, and complete the sale in as little as 3 working days once the Grant of Probate has been received.
Even if probate has not yet been granted, contact us now; we can carry out a valuation, prepare all paperwork, and have a formal offer ready so you can move immediately once you have legal authority to sell.
You cannot legally complete a sale before the Grant of Probate is received; probate gives you the legal authority to sell the property.
However, you do not need to wait until probate is granted before contacting We Buy Any House.
We can begin the process straight away: carrying out a valuation, preparing all the legal paperwork, and making you a cash offer that is ready to be activated the moment probate is confirmed. Average probate timescales are 6-12 months, though simpler estates can be faster. We can work around your timeline.
For a full guide to the probate process and what to expect at each stage, see our dedicated probate FAQ page.
Before you can legally sell an inherited property, there are several steps that typically need to be completed:
Probate
You will need to apply for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no will), which gives you legal authority to deal with the estate and sell the property. We Buy Any House can begin preparing your sale in advance, so you are ready to move the moment probate is confirmed.
Inheritance Tax
If IHT is owed, this must be paid, or a payment plan agreed with HMRC before probate is granted.
Clearing the property
Not a legal requirement, but many executors choose to clear belongings first. We Buy Any House will purchase a property, including any contents left inside, if needed.
Outstanding mortgage or debts
Any outstanding mortgage balance is repaid from the sale proceeds at completion.
For more on what happens if there is no will, see our guide to who gets the house if there is no will.
Inheritance tax (IHT) may be payable if the total value of the deceased’s estate exceeds the nil-rate band threshold of £325,000.
However, an additional Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) of up to £175,000 applies when a main home is left to a direct descendant, such as a child or grandchild, bringing the effective threshold to £500,000 for many families.
Importantly, any IHT due must be paid (or a payment arrangement agreed with HMRC) before the Grant of Probate is issued. This can affect the timeline for selling the property.
Not everyone will need to pay IHT; it depends on the total estate value, available allowances, and whether any reliefs apply. See our full Inheritance Tax FAQ guide for a detailed breakdown
It depends on the selling method you choose:
With We Buy Any House: Once the Grant of Probate has been received, we can complete a sale in as little as 3 working days from the point contracts are exchanged. We can also work to a longer timeline if you need more time. There is no chain and no risk of the sale falling through.
Via a traditional estate agent: A sale through the open market typically takes an average of 6–9 months from listing to completion, and that is before probate is factored in, which typically takes 6–12 months in itself.
We Buy Any House can begin the process while you wait for probate, so your sale can be ready to complete almost immediately once the Grant arrives.
Yes, having a mortgage on an inherited property does not prevent a sale.
The outstanding mortgage balance will be repaid in full from the sale proceeds at completion; our solicitors coordinate directly with the lender to ensure a clean transfer of ownership. You will receive the remaining equity after the mortgage and any legal costs have been settled.
If the estate also has other outstanding debts beyond the mortgage, see our guide to selling inherited property with debt.
If two or more people inherit a property together, for example, siblings inheriting their parents’ home, all beneficiaries will need to agree on the sale price and terms before a sale can proceed.
We Buy Any House works with all parties to reach a fair agreement. If agreement cannot be reached, a beneficiary can apply to the court for an Order for Sale, a legal process that compels the sale of the property.
Our team can advise on the options available and help facilitate a resolution that works for everyone involved.
For more information on what happens when beneficiaries disagree, see our guide to whether siblings can force the sale of an inherited property.
No
We Buy Any House purchases properties in any condition. You do not need to carry out any repairs, renovations, or redecoration before selling to us.
This includes properties with structural issues, damp, outdated kitchens or bathrooms, overgrown gardens, or homes that have not been maintained in years.
We will make you an offer based on the property as it stands today, with nothing to pay and no obligation to proceed.
Yes
Most inherited properties are sold by executors or beneficiaries who never lived there themselves, and We Buy Any House handles these sales regularly.
You do not need to move into the property, or even visit it in person, to sell it to us. We can arrange a property valuation visit and handle the entire process remotely if you prefer. If the property has been empty since the death of the owner, there are a few practical points to be aware of:
- Empty property insurance: standard home insurance policies may lapse or reduce cover after 30–60 days of unoccupancy. Check whether the estate’s insurers have been notified.
- Council tax, empty properties are generally still liable for council tax, though some councils offer a short-term exemption following a bereavement.
A fast sale to We Buy Any House removes the ongoing financial and practical burden of maintaining an empty inherited property.