A leasehold house can sell smoothly, but getting the freeholder’s paperwork moving early can make the difference between an orderly transaction and avoidable delay. In England and Wales, sellers need to provide additional lease information as well as the usual property forms.
The main trap is waiting until a buyer is found before contacting the freeholder or managing agent. They may charge for documents, and delays in receiving the information pack can hold up the legal process.
1. Ask for the leasehold pack early
Contact your freeholder or managing agent as soon as you decide to sell. Ask what information they require, how much the pack costs, how long it usually takes and how it will be delivered to your conveyancer.
Your legal representative normally requests and provides the leasehold information pack. It should give the buyer a clear picture of the lease and ongoing responsibilities, including:
- The remaining lease term
- Ground rent and service charges
- Freeholder and managing agent details
- Buildings insurance
- Any planned major works
- Relevant fire risk assessments
Gather any documents you already have, such as service charge statements, insurance details and correspondence about maintenance or proposed work. That can help your conveyancer prepare answers while the formal pack is being arranged.
Check the cost before ordering. Freeholders and managing agents may charge for the pack, so do not assume that an information-pack fee is covered by a conveyancing arrangement. Ask who is responsible for it and what you will pay.
2. Complete both TA6 and TA7 forms
Leasehold sellers usually need to complete the TA6 Property Information Form and the TA7 Leasehold Information Form. The TA6 covers general details about the property. The TA7 asks about the lease and its management arrangements.
Answer carefully and consistently with the paperwork. If you are unsure about a ground rent review, a service charge demand or a planned repair, ask your conveyancer rather than guessing. Your buyer’s solicitor may raise follow-up questions, and missing or unclear information can add time.
You must also disclose relevant information about the property. This may include known disputes, proposed major works or issues that could affect a buyer’s decision. Estate agents must share material facts with prospective buyers, so raise relevant details with them at the outset.
Check your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) too. An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, subject to changes that could affect the rating. You can look up the current certificate on the EPC register. If one is not available or has expired, your conveyancer can advise whether you need a new one.
3. Check the lease length before setting a plan
Find out the exact number of years remaining. A lease with less than 80 years left can be harder to sell because some mortgage lenders are reluctant to lend against a short lease. That can reduce the pool of potential buyers or affect the price they are willing to pay.
You may be able to extend the lease before selling, but whether it makes financial sense depends on the cost, timing and likely effect on the sale. Get specialist legal and valuation advice before deciding. You may instead choose to sell with the existing lease, provided you make the position clear and understand how it could affect buyers and their mortgage options.
The Leasehold Advisory Service offers free information and advice for leaseholders.
What has changed under leasehold reform?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes provisions for 990-year lease extensions and a ban on new leasehold houses. Those changes are not yet in force; implementation is expected around mid-2027. Do not assume that proposed changes already apply to your sale.
One change has taken effect: the two-year ownership requirement before a qualifying leaseholder can start a lease extension or freehold purchase claim was abolished in January 2025. Eligibility and the best course of action depend on the property and the relevant legal rules, so ask your conveyancer before starting a claim.
4. Consider the local market and the sale route
In Rotherham, the ONS UK House Price Index put the provisional average house price at £191,000 in July 2026, up 1.7% year on year. By property type, the averages were £296,000 for detached homes, £188,000 for semi-detached homes, £151,000 for terraced homes and £101,000 for flats and maisonettes.
These are area-wide averages, not a valuation of your home. A leasehold house’s remaining term, ground rent, service charges, condition and location can all affect its value. Compare similar local homes and get advice on how the lease affects your asking price.
A traditional sale through an estate agent may reach buyers who are looking for a home to live in or a buy-to-let investment. It can also involve viewings, negotiations, a buyer’s mortgage process and a chain. A leasehold pack can add another step, particularly if you wait to request it.
If speed matters, searches such as “sell my house fast” often lead homeowners to compare a quick house sale with a conventional listing. Direct cash house buyers or cash buyers for houses may offer a simpler route, with no onward chain. But a direct offer may be below the price you might achieve on the open market. Compare the likely money you will receive after costs, not just the headline figure.
We Buy Homes 24 buys properties directly, including leasehold homes, and can consider a house in poor condition. Its service includes no legal costs for the seller. Our panel solicitors handle the legal work at no cost to you and no estate agent commissions. Freeholder or managing-agent pack fees are separate costs to clarify before proceeding. Ask what terms apply to your property and whether the offer changes after a survey. Some straightforward sales can complete quickly, but leasehold documents and legal checks affect the timing.
You can review the services and how the process works before deciding whether a direct sale is right for you. It may suit someone who needs to sell an inherited house, sell a house with tenants in situ, or sell a house in poor condition without preparing it for viewings. It is also one way to sell a house without an estate agent, though it is sensible to compare the net proceeds and timescales against other options.
5. Keep the transaction moving
Once you have a buyer, respond promptly to your conveyancer’s questions and pass on any new correspondence from the freeholder or managing agent. Keep copies of pack requests, payment receipts and documents you send.
For a leasehold house, the timetable depends on several parties: you, your conveyancer, the buyer’s conveyancer and whoever manages the lease information. Starting early cannot remove every delay, but it can help prevent a slow document request from becoming a last-minute obstacle.
Leasehold houses are most common in England and Wales. Scotland has a different property system and does not have leasehold houses in the same way; separate long-lease rules may apply. If the property is in Scotland, seek advice based on Scottish law.
FAQs
Can I sell a leasehold house with less than 80 years left?
Yes, but a short lease can make a sale harder because some mortgage lenders are reluctant to lend. Check the remaining term and discuss the options with a conveyancer before marketing the property.
Do I have to extend the lease before selling?
Not necessarily. You can explore an extension, sell with the current lease or consider another route. Get advice on the likely cost, timing and effect on the buyer’s options before choosing.
What is the leasehold information pack?
It is information about the lease and its management, usually arranged through your legal representative. It can cover the lease term, ground rent, service charges, insurance, management contacts, planned works and fire risk assessments.
Who pays for the leasehold pack?
The freeholder or managing agent may charge for preparing documents. Ask for the fee and confirm who will pay it before ordering. Do not assume it is included in legal costs.
Can I sell a leasehold house quickly?
Possibly, but there is no fixed timetable. Having your lease documents ready and ordering the pack early can help. A direct buyer may avoid an onward chain, though the legal checks and information pack still need to be completed.
Is selling a leasehold house in Scotland the same?
No. Scotland has a different property system and does not have leasehold houses in the same way as England and Wales. Get advice specific to the property’s location.
Sources
Leasehold process details come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government's How to sell a home guide, which covers leasehold packs, the TA7 form and short-lease considerations. Lease reform status comes from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and government guidance. Local market figures come from the ONS UK House Price Index for Rotherham (provisional, July 2026).
Explore your options
If you want to discuss a leasehold sale, contact We Buy Homes 24 for a free, no-obligation conversation. Share what you know about the lease, and ask about the likely next steps, costs and timescales before you decide.