Executors are not expected to know everything about the property in the way an owner-occupier might. Buyers generally understand that. What matters is honesty. If there are issues known to the estate — for example…
Executors are not expected to know everything about the property in the way an owner-occupier might. Buyers generally understand that. What matters is honesty.
If there are issues known to the estate — for example structural movement, leaks, title problems, neighbour disputes, service charge arrears or missing documents — those should not be buried. Equally, an executor should not guess or answer beyond their knowledge.
The right approach is straightforward: disclose what is known, make clear what is not known, and answer enquiries carefully rather than casually.
Related reading
- How to sell a probate property: a clear step-by-step guide for executors and familiesHow to sell a probate property: a clear step-by-step guide for executors and families/probate-guides/how-to-sell-a-probate-property/
- Missing deeds, unregistered title and other title problems that can slow a probate saleMissing deeds, unregistered title and other title problems that can slow a probate sale/probate-guides/missing-deeds-unregistered-title-probate/
- The probate property documents checklist: what to gather early to prevent delay laterThe probate property documents checklist: what to gather early to prevent delay later/probate-guides/probate-property-documents-checklist/
- What if the title deeds are missing?What if the title deeds are missing?/knowledge-hub/what-if-title-deeds-are-missing/
- What if the property was never registered with Land Registry?What if the property was never registered with Land Registry?/knowledge-hub/what-if-a-probate-property-is-unregistered/
- What happens if the property was jointly owned?What happens if the property was jointly owned?/knowledge-hub/what-happens-if-a-probate-property-was-jointly-owned/
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