Is it legal to sell your house privately in the UK?

Yes. There is no requirement to use an estate agent to sell a home in England and Wales. You must still meet the same legal duties — a valid EPC commissioned before marketing, accurate material information on the advert, and no misleading claims under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. A solicitor or licensed conveyancer must handle the legal transfer itself.

How much does it cost to sell a house privately?

Your unavoidable costs are conveyancing (typically £800–£1,500 including disbursements) and an EPC if you do not already have a valid one (around £60–£120). Advertising on a private-sale marketplace is a fixed monthly cost — on lookingforahouse.co.uk that is £50 or £65 a month while your property is live, with no commission and no success fee.

Do I need an EPC to sell privately?

Yes. You must have commissioned an Energy Performance Certificate before you start marketing and have it available within seven days. EPCs last ten years, so check the free GOV.UK register before paying for a new one.

How long does it take to sell a house privately?

Finding a buyer typically takes a few weeks to a few months depending on price and area, and completion usually takes a further eight to sixteen weeks once an offer is accepted. Private sales are not inherently slower — the pace is set by the chain and by how fast the paperwork moves.

Do I still need a solicitor if I sell privately?

Yes. Conveyancing is the one part you cannot do yourself: transferring legal ownership requires a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. You choose your own, and you can ask us to have a partner firm send you a quote — that introduction is always free to you.

How do I know a buyer is genuine?

Ask for a mortgage agreement in principle or proof of funds, their solicitor's details, and their position in a chain before you accept an offer. Take viewings with someone else in the house, and never release keys or send money on anyone's instruction other than your own solicitor's.

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lookingforahouse.co.uk

Sell or rent your home privately

We’re not an estate agent. We’re the marketplace that puts you in control — you set the price, you take the enquiries, and you keep the fee.

Founded in South Wales

lookingforahouseAdd your property

Add your property

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Room by room — about thirty minutes, or take as long as you like.

How it works

Add your property
Photos room by room — about thirty minutes, or take as long as you like.
Go live
Your own property page, in front of buyers and renters.
They message you direct
You reply, you arrange the viewings. No agent in the middle.
Sell or let, keep the fee
One flat monthly price while you're listed. Nothing on completion.

You're in control

Set your price, choose your viewing times, pause or remove your property whenever you like.

Your property, in full view

Live analytics show every visit, enquiry, viewing and share — nothing hidden.

No commission. Ever.

You keep what the agent would have taken on completion.

First 50 listings free

Founding members get one free listing on the top package.

We’ll email you the moment we launch

By joining, you agree we may email you about the launch and your founding place. We use your email for that purpose only, never sell it, and you can unsubscribe or ask us to delete it at any time by emailing privacy@lookingforahouse.co.uk. See our Privacy Policy. You must be 18 or over.