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What to do when you inherit a property

Selling is straightforward and tax efficient, but it's important to factor in emotional considerations and how they can best be managed
What to do when you inherit a propertyPublished on August 14, 2024
  • There is usually no capital gains tax payable on the sale of a property you have just inherited
  • Renting it out can be complex and time consuming
  • Ask yourself: do I want to be a landlord?

A home is so much more than a pile of cash, which means it's sometimes difficult to see it as just another investment. It can house good and bad memories as well as beloved items. You can walk its corridors and touch its walls, and understanding its value is in many ways so much easier than doing so with a stock portfolio.

The tangible nature of property ownership makes it a much loved type of investment across the UK. But for the same reason, there are a lot of complications involved. If you find yourself inheriting a home, for example from your parents or grandparents, you should weigh up the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether to keep it.

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