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After Accepting an Offer on a House: What Happens Next?
Receiving an offer on your property can feel like the biggest step in the selling process.
However, accepting an offer does not mean the sale is complete.
There are still several important stages before you exchange contracts and eventually complete the sale. For London homeowners, understanding what happens next can make the process easier to manage and help you prepare for potential delays.
If you have recently accepted an offer, here is what you should expect.
Is an Accepted Offer Legally Binding?
In England and Wales, an accepted offer is generally not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged.
This means that either party can still withdraw from the transaction before exchange.
The buyer may still need to arrange their mortgage, complete searches and carry out other checks. You may also need to provide documents and answer questions about the property.
For official information, you can read the GOV.UK guidance on buying and selling a property.
Understanding this stage is important because an accepted offer is not the same as a completed sale.
1. Tell Your Solicitor or Conveyancer
Once you accept an offer, make sure your solicitor or conveyancer knows immediately.
If you have already instructed a conveyancer, they can begin progressing the legal work required for the sale.
They may need information about:
- Property ownership
- The property title
- Fixtures and fittings
- Planning permissions
- Building work
- Guarantees
- Leasehold information
- Service charges
- Ground rent
- Other property documents
If you have not organised your paperwork yet, now is a good time to do it.
Our guide Documents Needed to Sell a Property in London explains some of the documents sellers may need to prepare.
2. The Buyer Starts Their Checks
After an offer is accepted, the buyer will normally begin their own checks.
Depending on the property, these may include:
- Property searches
- Mortgage checks
- Reviewing the property title
- Reviewing property information
- Checking leasehold information
- Arranging a survey
- Asking additional questions about the property
The buyer’s solicitor or conveyancer will usually communicate with your legal representative when they need further information.
Responding promptly can help prevent unnecessary delays.
3. The Buyer May Arrange a Property Survey
A buyer may arrange a survey after their offer has been accepted.
The type of survey depends on the property and the buyer’s requirements.
A survey can identify issues that the buyer may want to investigate further.
For example, they could ask questions about:
- Damp
- Roofing
- Structural issues
- Windows
- Extensions
- Alterations
- Drainage
- General property condition
A survey does not automatically mean that the buyer will withdraw from the sale.
However, significant issues can sometimes lead to further discussions or negotiations.
4. Mortgage Checks Can Take Time
If the buyer needs a mortgage, their lender will normally carry out its own checks before approving the loan.
The lender may arrange a mortgage valuation to help assess the property.
This is separate from a detailed building survey.
Mortgage-related delays can happen if the buyer needs to provide additional information or if the lender has further questions.
As a seller, you may not be able to control this part of the transaction.
However, keeping communication open with your estate agent can help you understand whether the buyer is progressing.
5. Your Solicitor May Receive Questions About the Property
After an offer is accepted, your solicitor may receive questions from the buyer’s legal representative.
These could relate to:
- Ownership
- Boundaries
- Planning permissions
- Building work
- Guarantees
- Lease information
- Service charges
- Fixtures and fittings
- Property history
This is one reason why having your documents organised before accepting an offer can be helpful.
If you have completed extensions, renovations or other work, make sure you provide any relevant paperwork to your solicitor.
6. Leasehold Properties Can Require Extra Information
If you are selling a leasehold flat, there may be additional information required.
This can include:
- Lease details
- Service charge information
- Ground rent
- Building insurance
- Managing agent information
- Recent accounts
- Planned major works
- Restrictions in the lease
Obtaining some of this information can take time.
If you know your property is leasehold, it can be useful to start gathering the relevant documents as early as possible.
This can reduce the risk of delays later in the transaction.
7. Your Estate Agent Still Has an Important Role
The estate agent’s work does not necessarily stop once an offer has been accepted.
They may continue communicating with:
- You
- The buyer
- The buyer’s estate agent
- Solicitors
- Mortgage brokers
- Other parties in the chain
They may also provide updates about the progress of the transaction.
A good estate agent can help keep communication moving when there are questions or delays.
If you are still deciding which agent to use for your next property sale, our guide How to Choose an Estate Agent in London explains some of the factors worth considering.
8. The Property Chain Can Affect Your Sale
If you are buying another property at the same time, your sale may be part of a property chain.
For example:
Seller → Buyer → Another Seller → Another Buyer
If one transaction in the chain experiences a problem, it can affect other transactions.
Common causes of delays can include:
- Mortgage problems
- Survey issues
- Missing documents
- Delays with solicitors
- Leasehold information
- A buyer withdrawing
- Another property in the chain being delayed
This is why accepting an offer does not guarantee that completion will happen immediately.
9. Keep Your Property Ready for the Buyer
Even after accepting an offer, it is sensible to continue looking after the property.
Keep the property in a similar condition to when the buyer viewed it.
Avoid making major changes without considering whether they could affect the transaction.
If you are still arranging professional property marketing or need additional property information, Find My Estate Agent provides professional property photography and property floor plan services.
10. Make Sure Your EPC Is Ready
An Energy Performance Certificate can be an important part of preparing a property for sale.
If you are unsure whether your property has a valid EPC, check it before marketing.
You can read our guide about EPC requirements for London properties or check the official GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificate guidance.
Preparing your documents early can help avoid unnecessary requests later.
11. Exchange of Contracts
One of the most important stages is the exchange of contracts.
Before exchange, your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor should work through the necessary legal and contractual matters.
Once contracts are exchanged, the transaction becomes legally binding.
The agreed completion date is normally confirmed as part of the process.
Until exchange has taken place, you should remember that the transaction may still change or fall through.
12. Completion Day
Completion is the point when the purchase money is transferred and the property legally changes hands.
Once completion has taken place, the buyer can normally take possession according to the agreed arrangements.
As a seller, you will usually need to:
- Vacate the property by the agreed time
- Remove your belongings
- Leave agreed fixtures and fittings
- Hand over keys through the agreed process
- Provide the property in the agreed condition
Your solicitor or conveyancer will confirm the practical arrangements with you.
What Can Delay a Property Sale After an Offer?
There is no guaranteed timeframe between accepting an offer and completing a sale.
Some common causes of delay include:
Missing Documents
If property documents are missing, solicitors may need additional information before they can proceed.
Mortgage Delays
A buyer who needs a mortgage may experience delays with their lender.
Survey Problems
A survey may identify issues that lead to additional questions or negotiations.
Leasehold Information
Leasehold sales can require information from landlords, freeholders or managing agents.
Property Chains
A problem with another transaction in the chain can affect your sale.
Slow Communication
Delays can also occur when buyers, sellers, agents or solicitors take too long to respond.
Responding quickly to reasonable requests can help keep your side of the transaction moving.
How Can Sellers Help the Sale Move Forward?
Although you cannot control every part of a property transaction, there are several things you can do.
Keep Your Solicitor Updated
Tell your solicitor about any changes that could affect the sale.
Respond Quickly
Try to provide requested information and documents as soon as possible.
Keep Your Estate Agent Informed
Let your estate agent know if your circumstances change.
Stay Flexible
Surveys, legal checks and mortgage processes do not always happen exactly when expected.
Keep Your Documents Organised
Having important paperwork available can make it easier to answer questions.
Our London home-selling checklist can also help you prepare before and during the selling process.
What If the Buyer Tries to Renegotiate?
Sometimes a buyer may ask to renegotiate the price after a survey or another property check.
This can happen for different reasons.
For example, they may discover an issue that was not obvious during the original viewing.
If this happens, you do not necessarily have to accept the new offer.
You can discuss the situation with your estate agent and consider your options.
Before making a decision, think about:
- The reason for the requested reduction
- The cost of addressing the issue
- Current buyer demand
- Your preferred completion timeline
- Whether you have alternative buyers
Your estate agent can help you understand the market and negotiate with the buyer.
What Happens If the Buyer Pulls Out?
Until contracts are exchanged, a buyer can generally withdraw from the transaction.
This can be frustrating, particularly if you have already spent time and money progressing the sale.
If this happens, speak to your estate agent about putting the property back on the market and reviewing the next steps.
It can also be useful to understand why the buyer withdrew.
Was it:
- Mortgage-related?
- Survey-related?
- A change in circumstances?
- Another property?
- A concern about the price?
Understanding the reason can help you decide how to proceed.
Final Thoughts
Accepting an offer is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the selling process.
There are still legal checks, surveys, mortgage arrangements and other steps before contracts are exchanged and the sale completes.
The best thing you can do as a seller is stay organised, communicate with your solicitor and estate agent, and respond quickly when information is requested.
Preparing your documents before accepting an offer can also make the process easier.
If you are preparing to sell a London property, you can compare local estate agents and explore property services such as EPCs, photography and floor plans through Find My Estate Agent.
For official information about the home-selling process, visit GOV.UK’s guidance on buying and selling a property.
This article provides general information only and is not legal, financial or conveyancing advice. For advice about your individual property transaction, speak with a qualified solicitor or conveyancer.