Instructing an estate agent means signing a contract, usually a sole agency agreement, that appoints them to market and sell your home. Most tie-in periods run for four to twelve weeks. Before you sign, you will need ID for an anti-money laundering check, and a decision on whether to line up a conveyancer at the same time.
What does instructing an estate agent actually mean?
Instructing an estate agent is the formal appointment that lets them start marketing and selling your home. You sign a contract, most commonly a sole agency agreement, which sets out their fee, the notice period, and the terms they work under. Until this is signed, your sale cannot begin in any meaningful way. The agreement is not just paperwork. It is the point where the agent commits real time and money, from professional photography to portal listings, so most agents will ask for a minimum period before you can list with anyone else.
How long is a typical estate agent tie-in period?
According to Propertymark, the UK's professional body for estate agents, a typical tie-in period runs from four to twelve weeks. Some agents ask for considerably longer, sometimes 20 weeks or more, but a longer commitment is not automatically a sign of a better service. If an agent is confident they can sell your home, they should not need an unusually long period locked in to prove it. It is reasonable to ask why a longer tie-in is needed before you sign.
What do I need ready before I sign?
You will need proof of identity, typically a passport or driving licence, along with proof of address such as a recent utility bill or bank statement. This is a legal requirement under the UK's Money Laundering Regulations, not a formality your agent can waive, and applies to every seller regardless of circumstances. Have both ready before your first meeting so the agreement is not held up.
What happens behind the scenes once you instruct an agent?
Once you sign, your agent starts preparing everything needed to bring your property to market. That typically includes arranging an Energy Performance Certificate if you do not already have a valid one, professional photography, writing the listing description, and preparing your property for the major portals. They will also complete the identity and anti-money laundering checks mentioned above, since this is required before marketing can legally begin.
Should I line up a conveyancer before going to market?
You do not need a conveyancer in place before your property is listed, but it is worth thinking about early. Instructing a conveyancer at the same time as your agent means their file is already open when a buyer is found, rather than losing time at what is often the most time-pressured stage of a sale. It also gives you a clearer answer if a buyer or their agent asks how quickly you can proceed.
| Before you sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and proof of address | Required for anti-money laundering checks, no exceptions |
| Clarity on the tie-in period | Four to twelve weeks is typical; question anything longer |
| Understanding of what's included | Accompanied viewings are not always standard |
| A view on your conveyancer | Not required yet, but instructing early saves time later |
Frequently asked questions
- How long does an estate agent contract tie you in for?
- Most sole agency agreements run for four to twelve weeks, according to Propertymark. Anything significantly longer is worth questioning, since a confident agent should not need that much time locked in to prove they can sell your home.
- What ID do I need to instruct an estate agent?
- Photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, plus proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement. This is a legal anti-money laundering requirement for every seller.
- Do I need a solicitor before I instruct an estate agent?
- No. You do not need a conveyancer in place before your property is listed, but instructing one at the same time means you are not losing weeks once a buyer is found.
- Is accompanied viewings included in an estate agent's fee?
- Not always. It is sometimes an add-on rather than a standard part of the service, so check what is included before you sign.
This guide is general information for home sellers in England and Wales, not legal advice. Tie-in periods, fees and regulatory requirements vary by agent and can change, so confirm current detail with your own estate agent.