Thinking of Selling This Year? 5 Things a Solicitor Recommends Before You Put Your House on the Market

The start of a new year is a popular time for homeowners to think about selling. Whether you’re planning a move later in the year or hoping to take advantage of early buyer activity, preparing properly before your property goes on the market can make a real difference to how smoothly the sale progresses.

At Marsons Solicitors LLP, our conveyancing team regularly sees transactions delayed, or even fall through, because key issues were only discovered after a buyer had been found. Taking some simple legal steps early can help avoid unnecessary stress and keep your sale on track.

Below are five things a solicitor recommends doing before you put your house on the market.

1. Check the Legal Ownership of the Property

It’s worth confirming early on exactly how the property is owned and whose names are registered on the title. Issues can arise where ownership has changed over time due to marriage, divorce, or inheritance, but the title has never been updated.

If there is a discrepancy between what you expect and what is recorded at HM Land Registry, this can delay the sale once a buyer’s solicitor starts their checks. Identifying and resolving this early can save valuable time later.

2. Gather Key Paperwork in Advance

Buyers’ solicitors will request documentation relating to the property, and delays often occur where paperwork is missing or difficult to locate. Useful documents to gather early may include:

●  planning permissions and building regulations approvals

●  guarantees or warranties for works carried out

●  FENSA certificates for replacement windows

●  leasehold information, if applicable

Having these ready helps your solicitor respond quickly to enquiries once the sale is agreed.

3. Be Open About Known Issues

It can be tempting to assume that certain issues will “sort themselves out”, but unresolved matters often come to light during the conveyancing process. These might include boundary queries, informal access arrangements, past disputes, or alterations made without consent.

Raising these issues early allows your solicitor to advise on how best to deal with them, whether that’s providing clarification, obtaining missing consents, or managing buyer expectations, rather than scrambling for solutions later.

4. Understand Leasehold or Estate Obligations

If your property is leasehold or part of a managed estate, additional layers of information will be required. Service charges, ground rent, management packs, and restrictions on use or alterations can all affect the sale.

Obtaining management information early can prevent delays once a buyer is found, as these packs can take time to be issued. Your solicitor can advise on what will be needed and how best to prepare.

5. Instruct a Solicitor Early

One of the most effective ways to reduce delays is to instruct a conveyancing solicitor before you accept an offer. Early instruction allows your solicitor to:

●  review the title

●  identify potential issues

●  prepare documentation in advance

●  respond promptly once a buyer is in place

This proactive approach often results in a smoother, faster transaction and reduces the risk of last-minute complications.

Planning Ahead Pays Off

Selling a property doesn’t need to be stressful, but preparation is key. By addressing legal matters early, you can help ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible once your property goes on the market.

If you’re thinking of selling this year and would like early guidance, Marsons Solicitors’ Conveyancing team is here to help. Getting advice at the right time can make all the difference. In the meantime, why not follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X to stay up-to-date?