Costs When Selling A House | A Simple Checklist

If you are thinking about selling in Essex or Suffolk, you can start with a quick estimate using Oakheart’s free instant online valuation or see how we support sellers on our Sales page

What are the main costs when selling a house?

Most sellers pay for some or all of the following:

Estate agent fees
Solicitor or conveyancing fees
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), if you do not have a valid one
Mortgage-related fees (if you still have a mortgage)
Removal and moving costs
Leasehold costs (if you are selling a flat or leasehold house)
Optional prep costs like repairs, decorating, storage, or professional cleaning

Not everyone pays every cost. Your total depends on your property, your mortgage, and how much prep you choose to do.

Do I have to pay estate agent fees when I sell my house?

If you’re using an estate agent like Oakheart, you will pay an agency fee. This is usually agreed upfront and is typically paid when the sale completes.

Agent fees cover the work that helps your home sell, like marketing, managing enquiries and viewings, negotiating offers, and keeping the sale progressing.

If you are weighing up whether to sell with an agent or go it alone, Our guide on selling with an agent vs selling your own home explains the trade-offs in a helpful way.

How much are solicitor or conveyancing fees when selling a house?

You will usually need a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal side of the sale. Their job is to deal with the contract, enquiries, and the transfer of ownership.

Your legal costs can include:

the solicitor’s fee
small extra costs for checks and documents (often called disbursements)
additional charges if the sale is more complex (for example, leasehold)

It’s worth getting a clear quote early, so you know what is included.

Do sellers pay for an EPC?

Often, yes.

If you do not have a valid EPC, you will usually need to arrange one before your property can be marketed. An EPC is a simple inspection that gives your home an energy rating.

Some sellers already have one from a previous sale. If it is still valid, you may not need a new one.

Will I pay mortgage fees when selling my house?

If you still have a mortgage, you may have costs linked to closing it.

Common ones include:

Early Repayment Charge (ERC): this can apply if you repay the mortgage during a fixed or discounted period
Mortgage exit or admin fees: some lenders charge a fee to close the account
Redemption figure: this is not a fee, but the amount needed to pay the mortgage off fully at completion

If you are unsure what applies to you, check your mortgage paperwork or speak to your lender.

If you are selling and buying at the same time, it can also help to talk through your options early. The Oakheart team can point you in the right direction, and if you need mortgage advice for your next move you can ask about it when you get in touch.

What extra costs might I have when selling a leasehold flat?

Leasehold sales often come with extra admin and costs, because there is usually a management company or freeholder involved.

Common leasehold selling costs include:

a management information pack (often required by the buyer’s solicitor)
service charge and ground rent statements
fees for notices or documents during the transfer process

These vary a lot, so it’s best to ask your solicitor early and factor it into your budget

What optional costs are worth budgeting for when selling a house?

These are not always necessary, but they can help your home present better and avoid last-minute stress:

Small repairs and touch-ups
Decorating (especially neutral paint in key rooms)
Decluttering, storage, or a skip
Professional cleaning
Gardening or kerb appeal improvements
Removals and packing

If you want quick, practical ideas that do not need a huge budget, Oakheart’s 5 ways to prepare your house for sale is a good place to start.

When do you actually pay the costs when selling?

A simple rule of thumb:

Before you list: EPC (if needed), and any prep costs you choose to do
During the sale: some legal costs may be requested upfront, and leasehold packs are often paid for during the process
On completion: estate agent fees and most solicitor fees are commonly settled when the sale completes

Your solicitor and agent will confirm exactly when payments are due.

How can I reduce the costs when selling a house?

You can often keep costs under control by doing a few simple things early:

Get a valuation and a clear plan, so you avoid overpricing and repeated price drops
Gather paperwork early (guarantees, certificates, planning permissions, service charge info if leasehold)
Fix obvious issues that could worry buyers during viewings
Be realistic about what needs doing versus what is “nice to have”

A good agent can also help you focus your budget on the changes that actually make a difference to buyers.

How can Oakheart help you sell with confidence?

If you want a clear, guided selling experience, Oakheart supports you from valuation through to completion with local expertise across Essex and Suffolk.

You can:

get a quick starting point with an instant online valuation
learn more about selling with Oakheart on our Sales page
speak to a local team and book a valuation via the Contact page

Costs when selling a house: a simple checklist