Can I sell the property immediately after buying it?
Yes — you are legally entitled to resell the property immediately after completion. However, some auction contracts contain clauses that limit this or make it harder in practice.
“BACK-TO-BACK” OR QUICK RESALES
This refers to reselling a property within a short time of buying it — sometimes even before the Land Registry has updated the ownership record in your name.
You may be doing this to:
- Flip the property for a quick profit
- Avoid refurbishment costs by selling as-is
- Transfer it to another party in a pre-agreed transaction
LEGAL AND PRACTICAL ISSUES
To protect your funds:
LAND REGISTRY DELAY
- After completion, the property may still be shown as registered to the previous owner.
- Until registration is updated, buyers or lenders may hesitate or require extra indemnity insurance.
LENDER RESTRICTIONS
- Some mortgage lenders will not lend if the current seller has owned the property for less than 6 months.
- This can limit your resale market — particularly to buyers using mortgages.
CONTRACT RESTRICTIONS
- Check the auction Special Conditions of Sale — some contracts prohibit resale or assignment within a certain period.
- Other conditions may restrict your ability to sell on nominated terms, especially if you attempt a resale before completing registration.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX (CGT)
- Quick sales may result in a taxable capital gain, depending on your circumstances and whether the property was used personally or held in a company.
- Specialist tax advice may be needed.
SELLING BEFORE REGISTRATION — IS IT POSSIBLE?
Yes, but you must:
- Fully disclose that the registration is pending
- Provide a certified copy of the TR1 and evidence of completion
- Offer indemnity or additional undertakings if required by the buyer’s solicitor or lender
We can assist with this, but it must be carefully structured and disclosed
SUMMARY
Selling soon after an auction purchase is possible, but not always straightforward. It can raise red flags with lenders and create complications around title, tax, and contract obligations. At Versus Law, we regularly assist clients with post-auction disposals and can advise you on how to do it properly — without putting your sale at risk.










