At a glance
- The personal representative (executor or administrator) sells a property that forms part of an estate.[1]
- GOV.UK says not to put the property on the market until probate is granted.[2]
- Capital Gains Tax may be due on any rise in value since the date of death, and must be reported within 60 days for residential property.[1][3]
- Inheritance Tax applies above £325,000, with a further £175,000 residence band when a home passes to children or grandchildren.[4]
Rules and figures last checked October 2026.
Who can sell, and when
When someone dies, their property forms part of their estate, and the personal representative is responsible for managing and selling it.[1] GOV.UK’s advice is not to make financial plans, or put the property on the market, until probate has been granted.[2] Where a home is jointly owned, the position can be different, so ask a solicitor.
Tax on an inherited property
- Capital Gains Tax. It may be due if the property is worth more when sold than its value at the date of death (or the value agreed for Inheritance Tax, which usually applies if one was fixed).[1][3] If it is residential property, you usually have to report it within 60 days.[1]
- Inheritance Tax. The standard threshold is £325,000 and the rate is 40% on the excess.[6] Leaving a home to children or grandchildren can raise the threshold, through a residence nil-rate band of £175,000, so that up to £500,000 can pass without tax.[6][4]
| Band | Amount | Listed until |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-rate band | £325,000 | 5 April 2031 |
| Residence nil-rate band | £175,000 | 5 April 2030 |
Check HMRC’s current figures when you apply, because these change at Budgets.
Selling it well
- 1
Confirm who can sell
Usually the personal representative, once probate or letters of administration are in place.
- 2
Get a valuation
A free valuation tells you what the property could achieve, and your solicitor will want a date-of-death value for tax.
- 3
Prepare the paperwork
The legal paperwork guide lists what an agent and conveyancer need.
- 4
Plan for the costs
See the costs of selling, and speak to a solicitor and an accountant about the tax.
Sources
Every figure and rule above comes from one of these, read in October 2026. The dates are the ones each publisher shows as when the page was last updated.
- [1]Managing and selling assets from an estate (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [2]Selling or transferring property (wills, probate and inheritance) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [3]Capital Gains Tax: market value (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [4]Inheritance Tax thresholds and interest rates (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (HM Revenue and Customs) · page updated 6 April 2026
- [5]Anti-money laundering guidance for supervised businesses: estate agency (AMLG2200) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (HM Revenue and Customs) · page updated 13 October 2026
- [6]Inheritance Tax (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
This is a general guide to selling a home in England, not legal, tax or financial advice. Your own circumstances, and your conveyancer’s advice, decide what applies to you.