Guide To Selling a House That Needs Repair Work

Selling a house in great condition can be a difficult, expensive and time-consuming affair. According to Zoopla, it takes around 25 weeks (six months) on average to sell property in the UK. That’s an incredibly long time for many buyers who are eager to move on from one home and into their next one. The time to sell also differs by region, which you can learn more about in our article on the average time to sell a house in the UK. 

While this lengthy sale process may not be the case for all homeowners, it shows that in today’s market selling property isn’t as easy as many people think. And selling a house that needs work (i.e. repairs or renovations) can be even more difficult. 

Many buyers are looking for a house they can move into straight away without doing much work. As a result, if you’re selling a ready-to-live house, you will generally have a larger pool of potential buyers. There are buyers who look for houses that need work, but they’re a bit more niche or they don’t have as much money to spend. We’re talking about passionate renovators who love finding properties to fix up or first-home buyers who might need to settle for less complete homes due to their limited finances. 

However, houses that need repairs can pose more problems than just buyer interest when you’re trying to sell. If you own a house that needs work done, it’s important to know about these pitfalls while also being aware of the solutions. We’re going to cover all of these and plenty more on this page.

Table of Contents

• A step-by-step guide on how to sell a house that needs repair work

• Is it illegal to sell a house that needs repairs?

• Can you sell a partially renovated house?

• What can you do if a buyer pulls out of a property sale?

• Can you really sue the buyer if they pull out?

• Can you sell your house as-is?

• What’s the best way to sell a house that needs work?

• How The Property Buying Company can help

A step-by-step guide on how to sell a house that needs repair work

Step 1: Assess your property’s condition

First things first, you need to you need to conduct a thorough investigation of your property and determine how much work is required to make it habitable for a modern homeowner. Depending on the house’s state, this level of repairs or renovations will vary. 

Houses that need work will generally fall into three main categories: 

1. Light-Retouch – Structurally sound properties that require a cosmetic facelift.

2. Long-Term Unoccupied – Uninhabited properties that may need a bit more in-depth work. There were actually 265,061 long-term empty homes in England in 2024, according to data by Auction on Empty Homes. 

3. Entirely Uninhabitable – A property that, in its current state, isn’t safe for humans to live in it. 

Is your house derelict? You can read more about selling a derelict house, which may have different implications. 

Below is a breakdown of the three conditions above to give you a better idea of what state your house might be in. Before we go any further, we should say that it’s probably a good idea to have a professional come in and appraise your house to get a definitive conclusion on its status. An RICS-accredited surveyor is a good option – you can find RICS members here. You can also use nationally recognised valuation firms, such as Savills. Professional cash buyers, like The Property Buying Company (TPBC) can also provide a valuation of your house’s state.  

Step 2: Decide what (if any) repair you want to make before selling

After you’ve appraised your house, you may decide it need a couple of repairs or improvements before you’re ready to sell. As the homeowner, this is entirely your prerogative and can depend on how much time, money and effort you wish to invest in your property before selling. In some cases, a few minor and low-cost repairs can increase the value of your property enough to be worthwhile. 

What elements bring down the value of a house the most? 

Before you decide where you want to invest your time and money on repairs, you should consider the elements that impact a house’s value the most. 

Here’s a breakdown of what impacts the value of a house the most:

What repairs have the biggest impact on selling a house? 

As you might expect, the elements that decrease the value of a house the most often have the biggest impact on selling the property if they’ve been repaired. Again, it’s completely up to you where you want to devote your time and money, but if you’re looking for some relatively quick and easy wins to boost your property’s value before selling, the following areas might be worth addressing. 

That’s just a snapshot of some of the repairs you can do. Schofields Insurance also has this great infographic on some of the best home renovations for adding value to your house, which we’ve included below.

Is it worth renovating an old house before selling? 

As you can see above, renovations and repairs can increase the eventual sale price of your house. However, they all take time and money. It’s up to you to decide which renovations (if any) are worthwhile. Sometimes, the value-add to your property will be worth the expense. In other cases, it might not. It’s important to weigh up these costs and any potential fees you’ll incur by delaying the sale (e.g. council tax and utility bills).

Step 3: Choose your selling route

Depending on the status of your house and what level of repairs it requires, you’ll have different routes for selling. Some of the more common buyers of houses that need work include: 

1. Private property flippers looking for cheap houses to do up and sell

2. Property development and investment companies looking for houses or land to redevelop

3. Private and professional cash buyers who don’t need a mortgage

4. Buy-to-let property investors looking for houses they can renovate and rent out

But how do you connect with these types of buyers when you’re looking to sell? This again comes down to your house’s condition.

Best selling routes for a house that needs repair work

Why professional cash buyers are a great option for selling a house that needs work

Legitimate cash house buyers, like TPBC, are known for buying houses in any condition. While some buyers will want to see a certain level of inhabitability, cash buyers aren’t always limited by this. They also purchase property using on-site cash funds, so they’re not restricted by mortgage brokers who might not lend money for a house that needs a lot of work. 

Auction houses offer a similar system, but they’re reliant on marketing your property well and the actual buyers at any given auction day. Whereas a professional cash buyer is an almost guaranteed sale, selling through auction doesn’t always guarantee you a buyer at the end of the day. 

If you’re looking for a fast sale and want to move on from the property, cash buyers are a great option, too. At The Property Buying Company, we close most sales within 2-3 weeks, but have finalised sales in as little as seven days. We also cover all fees throughout the process, so you’re not spending any of your own money to sell your house. The same can’t always be said for sales at auction or through the open market. 

Step 4: Identify and highlight your house’s most attractive features

If you’re selling a house that needs work, whether it’s small repairs or major renovations, you’re selling to very specific buyers. But that’s okay, because these buyers aren’t expecting a brand-new and immediately inhabitable property. They also know exactly what they’re looking for when it comes to fixer-uppers or investment properties. 

Now you know how you want to sell your house and who you should be targeting, it’s time to identify these elements and see if they’re worth highlighting to these potential buyers. But what exactly are these features? 

Here are some of the most common features these buyers look for in a house that needs work: 

1. Location

If your house is in a location with great potential for value appreciation or planned developments, you might be able to attract a lot of interest. Read our article on how to find out your property’s value, which will be impacted by its location and recent house sales in your area. 

2. High-Yield Investment Opportunities

If your house looks like it could be turned into a solid rental property or flipped and sold for a profit, you might have an easier time finding buyers. Elements like nearby amenities, unique property features, a high rental yield location, recent appreciation and land size all influence this.

3. Unique Property Features

Having a unique property or highlight special features can really appeal to buyers. Even if it isn’t inhabitable. For instance, under-stair storage space is a big plus for buyers, with many homeowners converting these spaces into home offices. We’ve seen this exact thing reported by The Sun in May, 2025. 

GBN also recently published a story highlighting a 2025 trend towards classic interior designs, which could increase property value considerably. “Classic styles are like the little black dress of interior design - always chic, effortlessly versatile and forever in vogue,” said Victoria Benini, interior expert at Harbour Lifestyle, in the article. 

4. Fast Sales

Typically, buyers of houses requiring repairs are looking for a quick sale process. They could be private investors who do this routinely or cash buyers who already have the funds ready. If you can highlight and assure these buyers of a quick sale, it could help you sell your property. 

Should you furnish or decorate your house to sell it?

Furnishing and decorating your house (aka ‘home staging’) can increase its appeal and attract more interest from buyers. Here are some pros and cons to home staging:

If your property is vacant and you want to attract buyers who might one day live in it or rent it out, home staging could be quite effective. However, if you just want to get rid of the property and are happy for developers or investors to buy it, home staging could end up being a waste of time and money. For instance, if you’re selling to a cash buyer, you shouldn’t need to spend time and money furnishing and decorating your house.

Step 5: Choose a realistic price for your property

One of the easiest ways to hinder the sale of your house is to price it unrealistically within the current market. In August 2024, the Straits Times reported that the number of homes for sale in the UK has reached a seven-year high, according to Zoopla data. Shortly after, in January 2025, Zoopla released a report outlining that 2025 sales had seen a 13% increase in buyer demand. 

What this tells us is that while it’s still possible to find buyers, the competition is higher than it has been for a long time. So it’s important to not price your house to the point it deters buyers from even showing interest. 

If you’re unsure how to price your house, read our article on what is a fair market value of a house and how you can calculate it. We also recommend getting a professional appraisal from an RICS-certified surveyor (check if they’re a member). If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can also pay for an estate agent appraisal. 

Alternatively, you can submit your postcode via our widget below to get a no-obligation cash offer in about 24 hours. This will at least give you a good idea of where to start. However, it’s a good idea to get a few different valuations, whether you choose to use a cash buyer, estate agent or certified surveyor. 

Remember to consider your house’s condition when pricing. You need to be transparent when disclosing the areas that need work and how they impact the price. You don’t want to mislead buyers. This could result in lengthy, drawn-out sale processes. Buyers might even abandon the sale if they feel misled.  

Step 6: Go through with the sale process 

This one might seem a little on the nose, but it’s the final and most clear-cut of all the steps. Depending on the sale route you chose in Step 3, the sale process is going to differ a little. 

We have some guides online that can help you learn what to expect:

• Learn more about selling your house at auction

• Learn more about selling your house fast to a cash buyer

• Learn more about selling your house privately

Learn more about the 10 best estate agents for selling your house

Is it illegal to sell a house that needs repairs?

While it isn’t illegal to sell a house that needs work done, it is a legal requirement to disclose any known issues to potential buyers. If you don’t disclose these known problems, you may face legal consequences, as the buyer might sue for compensation or even the reversal of the sale. 

We saw this exact scenario play out on the national stage recently. In February 2025, the Guardian published a story about a seller of a Notting Hill property being ordered to pay back almost the entirety of the sale of the £32 million mansion. This was due to the buyers discovering a severe moth infestation after moving in. The high court found that the owner had answered falsely to questions about the property’s condition when selling. 

“[The couple] hope the case will serve as a warning to unscrupulous property developers who might seek to take advantage of buyer beware to sell properties by concealing known defects,” said Chris Webber, the buyers’ lawyer, in the article.

One good way you can ensure transparency is by completing a ‘TA6 Property information form’, which you can download here. On this form you can list all the known details about your house’s condition, including mould, pest infestations, structural deficits, electrical faults and any other issues. 

We’ve included a summary below of some of the main issues you must disclose to buyers when selling. This may not cover everything, so always err on the side of caution and when in doubt, disclose. If your property has damp, read our guide on how to sell a damp house.

Can you sell a partially renovated house? 

Yes, you can sell a partially renovated house. However, make sure you know what you’re legally required to disclose and do when selling. Failing to do so could result in legal consequences or undue stress and expenses. 

Your legal requirements when selling a renovated house

1. Disclose all incomplete renovation work and any defects or issues – This includes structural issues, unfinished renovations and unapproved work plans. 

2. Provide a Building Regulations Completion Certificate – You only need to do this if you’ve undertaken any structural alterations or extensions, as well as any significant renovations. The UK Government provides a full list of these alterations needing the certificate. It essentially proves the work complies with current building and safety regulations. If you don’t have one, you may be able to apply for retrospective approval through your local authority or an approved inspector.

3. Provide title deeds and ownership documentation – This will prove your legal ownership of the property and disclose any rights or restrictions attached to it. 

If you fail to be transparent throughout the sale process, there’s a very real chance that a buyer could pull out. 

According to The Negotiator and data from the GOTO Group, the UK has one of the world’s worst fall-through rates for property sales. The article, published in April 2025, revealed that almost 30% of UK property sales fell through in 2024. It also went on to reveal that these property transaction fails caused £8.6 billion in financial losses, with the average estate agency losing £4,123 each time. 

Why is it so common for buyers to pull out of sales in the UK? It might have something to do with there being no contractual obligation for sellers or buyers to go through with a sale even after an offer is accepted. “We don’t just have a problem with delays – we have a problem with commitment,” said Nigel Hoath, CEO of GOTO Group in the article.

What can you do if a buyer pulls out of a property sale?

It’s only when contracts have been exchanged that the buyer and seller face legal consequences if either party pulls out of the sale. Before this point, in the UK, there isn’t a lot you can do if a buyer pulls out of your house sale. And they may do so for a variety of reasons, including failing to secure a loan, asking for last-minute price reductions (gazundering) or seeing survey results that reveal defects you haven’t disclosed. 

Before contracts have been exchanged

At this point, you may need to simply re-list the property, contact any other buyers who showed interest or think about making some improvements to the property. 

After contracts have been exchanged

This is when the sale becomes legally binding and there are financial consequences to pulling out. As the seller, you have a few rights here, which you can enforce after the buyer pulls out. 

1. You can retain the 10% deposit and any accrued interest as compensation

2. Remarket the property to other buyers

3. Sue the buyer for any damages incurred due to them pulling out

Can you really sue the buyer if they pull out?

Yes, in most cases if the contracts have been exchanged, you can sue the buyer to recover any additional fees you’ve lost during the sale process. Let’s say the buyer asked you to spend money fixing certain issues or you spent a lot on estate or lawyer fees. You should be able to sue the buyer to recover any money lost.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that legal processes can be time consuming, stressful and expensive. It’s always best to avoid going through this if you can. Unexpected property issues are one of the main reasons buyers pull out of sales. This is why it’s so important to disclose everything you know and hopefully avoid having to deal with a failed transaction.

If you want more information on the different problems you can face when selling a house, including advice on what to do, refer to this page from the Citizens Advice.

Can you sell your house as-is?

In the UK, you can legally sell your house as-is. This is when you don’t do any work to improve or fix any issues with the property. However, when doing this you still must disclose all the known issues to potential buyers and provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Pros and cons of selling a house as-is

What’s the best way to sell a house that needs work?

The best sale route for your house will depend on your individual priorities and circumstances. We want to be as transparent as possible here and give you a general overview of your options and how they stack up against one another. Below is a table highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of various sale routes you can take, including cash house buyers, auctions and estate agents. 

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a fast sale without any fees and a guaranteed buyer, selling through a professional cash buyer might be your best option. 

How The Property Buying Company can help

The Property Buying Company is a legitimate and professional cash buyer of houses and flats across the United Kingdom. We have over 20 years’ experience with buying houses in any condition. This includes houses that need work, such as repairs or serious renovations. 

Are provide complete transparency throughout this process, including covering all fees related to the sale. We also provide an obligation-free cash offer within 24 hours to give you a clear idea of what you stand to make from your sale. From this point, it usually takes us 2-3 weeks (sometimes as little as seven days) to complete a sale, which is a far cry from the three months sellers often spend going through traditional real estate routes. 

We want your sale to be as stress-free and convenient as possible. So if you’re selling a house that needs work and want a fast, seamless and fair sale, submit your postcode in the widget below. One of our expert buyers will be in contact with a cash offer shortly after.