Solicitors for Selling a Property, Without the Complication of a Related Purchase
If you are selling a property in London and do not have a related purchase to coordinate, you do not need a solicitor who is set up for the full buy-and-sell chain. You need one who can move quickly on the sale itself, without waiting on searches, mortgage offers, or another transaction further up the chain.
Gurve Legal handles property sales as a standalone service. Whether you are selling an inherited property, a buy-to-let, a home after a divorce, or simply moving into rented accommodation, we manage the legal side of your sale from instruction to completion, with clear fees agreed from the outset.
Because you are not buying at the same time, there is no second transaction to slow things down. We focus entirely on getting your sale to exchange and completion as efficiently as the buyer’s side allows.
Our Property Sale Services
Standard Freehold and Leasehold Sales
We handle the conveyancing process for freehold and leasehold property sales, including reviewing your title, preparing the contract pack, and liaising with the buyer’s solicitor through to completion. Where a lease needs extending before sale, our leasehold and collective enfranchisement team can advise separately.
- Draft contract and title preparation
- Freeholder and management company liaison for leasehold sales
- Responding to buyer enquiries
- Redemption of any outstanding mortgage on completion
Probate Property Sales
Selling a property as an executor or administrator involves extra legal steps alongside the standard conveyancing process. We support you through obtaining the grant of probate and handling any inheritance tax considerations that affect the sale.
- Coordination with the grant of probate process
- Liaison with beneficiaries where required
- Handling capital gains tax and inheritance tax queries from buyers’ solicitors
Selling During Divorce or Separation
Where a property sale forms part of a financial settlement, timing and communication between all parties matters. We work alongside your family law solicitor to keep the sale on track.
- Sale proceeds split in line with your settlement agreement
- Coordination with your family law solicitor
- Clear, separate communication where former partners are not in regular contact
Selling a Buy-to-Let Property
If your property is tenanted, selling it involves additional considerations around notice periods and whether you are selling with vacant possession or with the tenancy in place. If a dispute with your tenant needs resolving before sale, our property litigation team can support alongside the conveyancing.
- Advice on selling with tenants in situ or after vacant possession
- Handling deposit return and tenancy documentation
- Capital gains tax reporting considerations
Selling an Inherited Property
Property received through inheritance can involve additional questions around ownership structure, capital gains tax, and, in some cases, an unregistered title. We resolve these issues as part of the sale rather than treating them as separate matters. If the property is a higher-value estate, our high value property conveyancing team can also be brought in.
- Establishing and registering unregistered titles where needed
- Advice on capital gains tax exposure
- Support where the property is held in trust
Selling to Fund Care Costs
Many families sell a property to fund care home fees for a relative. This is often a sensitive and time-pressured sale, and we handle it with the discretion and pace the situation requires. If you are also reviewing wider property investment holdings as part of this decision, we can advise on that alongside the sale.
- Working with attorneys under a Lasting Power of Attorney where applicable
- Coordination with care providers on timing
- Clear explanation of the process for family members managing the sale
Why Choose Gurve Legal
A Sale-Only Service, Not a Bundled One
Many conveyancing firms are set up around the assumption that you are buying and selling at the same time. We handle sale-only instructions as a distinct service, so you are not paying for or waiting on processes that have nothing to do with your transaction.
One Point of Contact Throughout
You will deal with the same solicitor from instruction to completion, not a rotating team of case handlers. That means fewer delays caused by handovers and a clearer picture of where your sale stands at any point.
Clear, Fixed Fees Agreed Upfront
We agree our fees with you before any work begins, so there are no surprises once the sale is underway. If your situation changes, such as a leasehold issue or a title complication, we tell you before any additional cost is incurred.
Commercial Precision Applied to Every Transaction
Our background acting for businesses and property investors means we bring the same discipline and pace to every sale, whether it is a family home, an inherited property, or a buy-to-let. We do not treat residential sales as routine paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a solicitor to sell my property?
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but almost all sellers do. A solicitor handles the contract, title, and liaison with the buyer’s solicitor, and most buyers’ lenders expect a solicitor to be involved.
How long does a sale-only conveyancing take?
A straightforward freehold sale with no chain complications on the buyer’s side typically takes eight to twelve weeks from accepting an offer to completion. Leasehold sales can take longer if a leasehold information pack is needed.
What if I am selling with tenants still in the property?
This is possible and does not always require ending the tenancy first. We will advise on whether selling with vacant possession or with the tenancy in place suits your situation.
Can you act if I am selling as an executor?
Yes. We regularly act for executors and administrators selling property as part of an estate, and can advise on the interaction between probate and the sale timeline.
What happens if the sale falls through after exchange?
Once contracts are exchanged, the sale is legally binding. If a buyer fails to complete, you may be entitled to keep their deposit and pursue further action, and we will advise you on the options available.
Speak to Our Property Team Today
If you are ready to sell, or want to understand the process before you go to market, get in touch for a fixed-fee quote and a clear timeline for your sale.