What does SSTC mean? - Richard Kendall Estate Agents

Having your offer accepted on a home is an achievement worth celebrating; but the hard work isn’t over yet. In fact, it’s just begun. As soon as a home is sold, it will be listed as ‘SSTC’, so let’s take a look at what this means and what comes next.

What does SSTC stand for?

‘SSTC’ means that the home has been ‘sold subject to contract’. The seller has accepted the offer, but the agreement is not yet legally binding. While a home is listed as SSTC, the buyer and seller are in the conveyancing process and this label will remain unchanged until the deal becomes legally binding. Until the point of exchange of contracts, both the seller and buyer can pull out of the sale without any legal repercussions.

What does SSTC mean for buyers?

SSTC means that the seller has accepted your offer and the conveyancing process can be started. Though it is only one of many obstacles to overcome before you arrive at the exchange of contracts, this is nevertheless a major step in the right direction.

What does SSTC mean for sellers?

Once the buyer's proof of funds has been confirmed, SSTC will show up next to your post on property portals, unless the buyer asks for it to be taken down and you agree. The ‘For Sale’ sign outside your house will also be changed to a ‘Sold STC’ sign.

Can someone view a house that is SSTC?

A home that has been sold subject to contract can still be viewed if the seller agrees to it. However, this could be a risk on the seller’s part as some buyers might choose to withdraw their offer if they find out that the seller is still accepting viewings.

Can I make an offer on a home listed as SSTC?

If the home you are interested in is marked as SSTC, you still have the opportunity to submit an offer. The estate agent has a legal obligation to forward all offers that the seller receives - unless the seller specifically asks them not to. The SSTC stage can be challenging for buyers, as it might result in 'gazumping'.

What is gazumping?

Gazumping is when a higher offer is accepted on the home you are buying, leading to the sale falling through. Timing also plays a big role in gazumping. The seller may accept an offer from a buyer whose schedule fits their needs more closely. Therefore, as a buyer, it’s important to have all your documents at the ready. A mortgage agreement in principle will also speed up the process for both parties.

How to avoid gazumping another buyer

You can register your interest in the property with the agent in case the sale falls through while it is SSTC, even if you do not intend to gazump another buyer. You will be informed and able to make your offer as soon as the property returns on the market.

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What Our Customers Say...

I’ve been using Richard Kendall in Horbury to manage my buy-to-let properties and have been extremely impressed with the service, particularly from Alice. As a landlord, what I value most is having someone I can trust to simply get things dealt with properly, without me having to constantly chase or get involved. Alice is excellent in this respect. She’s professional, responsive, proactive and always keeps me informed when something needs my attention. She clearly understands lettings from a landlord’s perspective and makes the whole process straightforward. Any issues are handled quickly and efficiently, communication is excellent, and I have complete confidence that my properties and tenants are being looked after properly. Having dealt with various people and businesses in the property sector over the years, genuinely good service stands out. Alice is a real credit to Richard Kendall and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Horbury team to other landlords looking for a reliable managing agent. Five stars and thoroughly deserved. Jon 15/09/2026

Amanda Holt was absolutely amazing at handling the sale of our house. Every step of the way she kept us informed and updated us the minute she heard any news and was super lovely. Everything was swift, easy and stress free and I would highly recommend them. Thank you so much again. Eleanor 14/09/2026

We had a lovely experience with Miranda at Richard Kendall. She was so helpful throughout the whole process and always kept us updated. Everything felt well organised, which made buying our home so much easier. We’re very happy with the service we received and absolutely love our new home! Thank you Miranda for all your help, we would happily recommend you. Karolina 12/09/2026

Karen at Richard Kendall Pontefract has been nothing short of exceptional. Due to a number of reasons my house was on and off the market a number of times. Most people could have given up hope but Karen was amazing. She was a great source of support, she understood my situation and thankfully we did get my house sold. I’ve no doubt that’s down to Karen. She provided a truly personal and amazing service and made sure I was at ease throughout. I can’t thank Karen and the team enough. I’d highly recommend Richard Kendall to anyone. They will look after you and make your home selling journey stress free. Thanks Karen. SH 12/09/2026

Jessica has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process. She has always been very receptive to our queries, responding promptly and efficiently, and has been proactive in progressing the tenancy agreement with our new tenants. She is a genuinely lovely person to deal with, and her professionalism, responsiveness and helpful approach have made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Amazing service—thank you, Jessica! Dr. Prateek 09/09/2026

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