Estate agency contracts

Once you've found the estate agent(s) you want to use, you'll need to sign up to a contract. Make sure you read the agreement terms and the small print in detail and question anything you're unsure about. We explain the different types of contracts available and what they mean.

Sole agency

Under a 'sole agency' contract, the estate agent you've appointed is the only estate agent with the right to sell your property. However, in general you can still sell your property yourself under this type of contract. The estate agent can only charge commission if they are responsible for selling your property because they introduced the buyer to you or if the buyer was introduced by another estate agent during the sole agency period (and that period could be several months long).

It’s still important to read the contract wording to make sure – and ask your agent to amend it if need be. If using an Internet Property Retailer (IPR) to sell your house, be particularly careful to check that your contract does not contain a clause which prevents you from using IPRs at the same time as using the services of the estate agent.

Sole selling rights

A 'sole selling rights' contract means the agent can charge commission irrespective of who sells the property. Even if you found the buyer and they were not responsible for the sale in any way.

Multiple agency

This type of agreement allows you to instruct more than one agent so you can reach a broader market – a good option if you're in a hurry to sell. You pay a higher commission rate than you would pay for a sole agency agreement but you only pay one fee and that's to the agent that sells your property.

Joint sole agency

As with a multi agency agreement, you can appoint two or more agents to jointly work together to sell your property under a 'joint sole agency' or 'joint agency' agreement. However the fee is split equally between the agencies, no matter which is responsible for the sale of the property.

Ready, willing and able

This contract means you have to pay the agent if they find a buyer who is prepared and able to buy your property and exchange unconditional contracts, even if you pull out of the sale. Steer clear of this type of contract.