The paint in the front room is peeling. The floor tile in the kitchen is cracked. You haven’t trimmed the back garden in at least six months. Suddenly, though, you have a job offer on the table, and it’s halfway across the country. You have to sell your house to go, but who has time for repairs. You’re left asking yourself “Can I sell my house like this?” The simple answer is absolutely. Selling your house in as-is condition is a way to get it on and off the market far quicker, but there are a number of considerations before you get started.  

What Does As-Is Even Mean?

You’re probably saying, “I just want to sell my house!” Selling it in as-is condition doesn’t mean you won’t be able to sell your house. Instead, it means you’re letting a potential buyer know that you don’t have the time, the money, or the ability to make any improvements or repairs to the property before its sold. There can be lots of different reasons to sell your house in this condition. Maybe you’re making a big move and you simply don’t have the time. Perhaps you inherited the property, and you simply don’t have any extra cash to make repairs. No matter what the reason, selling the property without making any changes or repairs is completely possible.

The Legal Aspects of an As-Is Sale

If you intend to sell a house without making any changes or repairs, there are still a number of legalities to consider. You still have the responsibility of giving the buyer an accurate picture of the property and the condition it is in. All property sales are governed under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, and that means if you don’t tell a buyer about a potential problem that could affect their decision to buy your home, you could actually be prosecuted. Even if you’re not prosecuted, you could have to pay a fine or even take the property back, repaying the buyer for everything they spent.

Typically what you’ll need to do is ensure that you complete a TA6 form, or a property information form, that details everything that is wrong with the home. If you’re working with an estate agent, you’ll want to disclose the property’s problems to them as well. Additionally, make certain your conveyancing solicitor is aware of the problems with the property so you can make sure the knowledge you have of the issues is passed onto the buyer.

On that TA6 form, you’ll want to list any problems you know about including structural issues, problems with damp, or even disputes with the neighbours. Additionally, if you have made any repairs or had other types of building work done in the past, that will need to be included. Finally, think about the neighbourhood. If your home is under a flight path, near the train, or you live in an area with a high crime rate (perhaps you’ve had your car broken into a few times), you’ll want to add that to the disclosure form.

How Much Will I Make?

If you decide to sell your home in as-is condition, be prepared to take offers that are well below traditional market value. Imagine, for example, you’re a potential buyer who walks into a home that has torn carpeting and kitchen cabinets with no doors. It’s a fixer-upper for sure, and a potential buyer may not want to spend too much initially, as they know they’ll have to put more money into repairs than they’d initially considered.

If You Can’t Find a Buyer

If you’re not having as much luck finding a buyer as you’d like to, there are a few other options that don’t require the DIY work a traditional sale might. You can work with a cash-for-homes company. These are usually groups of investors who are ready to purchase a home in any condition, bring in their contractors, and handle the repairs themselves. You can also look to sell your home at auction, as often there are many potential investors looking for great deals on homes. In either scenario, though, it’s important to note that you will likely receive below market value for your home.

Making the Sale

Just saying “Sell my house” doesn’t make it a reality, particularly if the home is in as-is condition. With full disclosure and a bit of hard work, you can sell it without making any changes, though.