Selling process
What Does STC / SSTC (Sold Subject to Contract) Mean?
STC ("Subject to Contract") and SSTC ("Sold Subject to Contract") mean a seller has accepted an offer, but the sale is not yet legally binding — the buyer and seller are working toward exchange of contracts. Until exchange, either side can still withdraw, and in England and Wales the property can technically still receive offers. SSTC signals a sale is agreed and progressing, not completed.
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- Acceptedbut not yet binding
- To exchangesale progressing
- Can withdrawuntil exchange
- 7–28days — cash is faster
What SSTC actually means
When you see "SSTC" or "Sold STC" on a property, it means the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer and the sale is progressing through conveyancing toward exchange. It is a positive sign that a deal is agreed — but the word "subject to contract" is doing the heavy lifting: there is no binding contract yet. The sale could still fall through, and the property is not legally sold until exchange and then completion.
STC vs SSTC vs under offer
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under offer | An offer has been made/received, not yet firmly accepted |
| STC / SSTC | An offer has been accepted; sale progressing to exchange |
| Exchanged | Legally binding; deposit paid |
| Completed | Money transferred; keys handed over |
See what "under offer" means for the distinction.
Can you still offer on an SSTC property?
Technically, yes — in England and Wales a property remains legally available until exchange, and estate agents must pass on all offers to the seller. This is how gazumping happens. In practice, many sellers take a home off the market once SSTC, and a serious second offer would need to tempt them to risk restarting the process. As a buyer, it is worth registering interest in case the agreed sale falls through.
What SSTC means for sellers
Reaching SSTC is a milestone, not the finish line. Around a quarter to a third of agreed sales still fall through before completion, so keep momentum: instruct your conveyancer, answer enquiries quickly, and stay in touch with the chain. Decide whether to take the property fully off the market (reassuring your buyer) or keep it listed as "SSTC" (a safety net if the sale collapses). Until you exchange, the sale is not secure.
Getting from SSTC to completion faster
The SSTC-to-completion phase is where delays bite — searches, mortgages, enquiries and the chain all have to align. Speed it up by having your paperwork ready and a proactive conveyancer. If certainty matters more than the open-market price, selling to a cash buyer shortens this phase dramatically: with no mortgage or chain, you can move from agreed to completed in 7-28 days, with far less risk of the deal collapsing between SSTC and exchange.
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
What does SSTC mean?
Sold Subject to Contract — an offer has been accepted and the sale is progressing toward exchange of contracts, but it is not yet legally binding.
Is SSTC the same as sold?
No. SSTC means an offer is accepted and the sale is in progress; the property is only truly sold at completion, after exchange of contracts.
Can I still make an offer on an SSTC property?
Technically yes in England and Wales, as the property is legally available until exchange and agents must pass on offers. Many sellers, though, take homes off the market once SSTC.
What is the difference between STC and SSTC?
They mean essentially the same thing — Subject to Contract / Sold Subject to Contract — an accepted offer that is not yet binding.
Can a sale fall through after SSTC?
Yes. Until exchange of contracts, either side can withdraw, and around a quarter to a third of agreed sales fall through before completion.
How long does SSTC to completion take?
Usually 8-12 weeks for the conveyancing plus exchange and completion. A cash sale can compress it to 7-28 days.