I'm selling a house - advice please.

Darren

Well-Known Forumite
Hi i have never done this i inherited a small house that needs a bit of work, i have never tried to buy or sell a house so have little to no idea.
I got in touch with a couple of those quick sell companies but don't think ill go with them because they charge 20% of the house price.
The house has tenants but there leaving in 6-8 weeks, i have no idea if that means i will have to pay council tax on an empty property until it is sold either, and i have no idea what estate agents to use in Stafford so if anyone has any advice or a recommendations on estate agents that would be great thank you.
 

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
I've never sold a house, only just recently bought one, but in my recent experience, most estate agents are very much the same. I've only used one solicitor, however, Mark Redler Solicitors (Ken Calladine in particular) were excellent. I know that others have used MR in the past and have had no complaints.

As with anything, YMMV.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Once the tenants have gone, whether you pay council tax will depend on whether it's furnished or unfurnished (I think) but give a quick phone call to the council offices, they will advise.

Contact 3 or 4 estate agents to come up and give a valuation but don't nesseccarily go with the one that says they can fetch the highest price. The valuations are free if you are considering selling. Let each agent know that you are having several valuations with other agents...they will try harder to get your business.

If you need to do any work on the property then it's advisable to do this before getting the agents round.

Good luck.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
I can confirm that you are not due to pay council tax if unoccupied.

I can confirm that all estate agents are the same *☆~¤

I can confirm that there are no reputable solicitors in Stafford

Consider the value of a regular income against a one off cash in

Don't rush into anything
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
Once the tenants have gone, whether you pay council tax will depend on whether it's furnished or unfurnished (I think) but give a quick phone call to the council offices, they will advise.

Contact 3 or 4 estate agents to come up and give a valuation but don't nesseccarily go with the one that says they can fetch the highest price. The valuations are free if you are considering selling. Let each agent know that you are having several valuations with other agents...they will try harder to get your business.

If you need to do any work on the property then it's advisable to do this before getting the agents round.

Good luck.

My understanding of council tax is as Carole states that you are exempt for up to 6 months of the property is unfurnished or awaiting probate.

The exemption details used to be on the SBC website but I haven't looked for them for a long while.

I haven't sold a house for years but would recommend you read the terms carefully especially the consequences if they don't sell within a specified time period or you want to change agents for whatever reason.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
There used to be a six-month council tax-free window in these circumstance, I believe. Whether or not is still applies, I have no idea.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Good calls there.
Think there will be Council Tax to pay as a void property.


Brenda ( not her real name ) at Stafford Boro is very good on the phone if you need advice and will organise a refund if your property is empty and you have paid up front
 

Darren

Well-Known Forumite
Thank you all there is some great advice, i would consider renting it out again but i have been a Council tenant now Stafford and Rural Homes for 23 years and i can get a big discount buying this house, this house is bigger than the one im selling and it is our home so it makes sense to me to sell the one i rent out and buy this one. Thank you all for your advice it is very helpful.
 

Jonah

Spouting nonsense since the day I learned to talk
Take a look at this for info about Council Tax.

http://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/live/i...36/SBC-Council-Tax-2017_18-online-booklet.pdf

IMG_0640.PNG
 

1JKz

Well-Known Forumite
Thank you all there is some great advice, i would consider renting it out again but i have been a Council tenant now Stafford and Rural Homes for 23 years and i can get a big discount buying this house, this house is bigger than the one im selling and it is our home so it makes sense to me to sell the one i rent out and buy this one. Thank you all for your advice it is very helpful.
Just curious, do you know if you'll have to pay inheritance tax?
I know of some who have been stung or were going to be stung because of inheritance tax, and as we know the taxman (or lady) are out to get the little guys (or gals)!
 

Darren

Well-Known Forumite
Just curious, do you know if you'll have to pay inheritance tax?
I know of some who have been stung or were going to be stung because of inheritance tax, and as we know the taxman (or lady) are out to get the little guys (or gals)!
Hi no the house only has a value of around £115,000 so it is below the £325,000 and doesn't qualify for the tax.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Consider the value of a regular income against a one off cash in
This.

£115k may seem like a lot of money, but really it's not, especially in times of next to no interest on savings.

On the other hand a monthly income from renting, might make all the difference to your day to day life, with the house still there as a lump sum should you decide to sell it in the future.
 

Darren

Well-Known Forumite
This.

£115k may seem like a lot of money, but really it's not, especially in times of next to no interest on savings.

On the other hand a monthly income from renting, might make all the difference to your day to day life, with the house still there as a lump sum should you decide to sell it in the future.
I would agree but the house is in need of new glazing and soon enough a new combi boiler, the other aspect is the house i am in i qualify for a large percentage off because of the amount of time i have been in it, so selling it and buying the house i am in might also give me some savings as well.
 
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