Under offer Sold subject to Contract

The Difference Between Under Offer and Sold Subject to Contract (UK Guide)

Quick Answer (Optimised for Snippets)

Under offer and sold subject to contract (STC) both mean someone has put in an offer and accepted it – but neither is actually locked in yet.

The key difference is this:

Under offer = a bit earlier in the process. The offer has been accepted but it’s still on the table for the seller to change their mind
Sold STC = a bit further on. The legal process has started but the sale is still not final until contracts are exchanged.

In both cases, the sale is not final until contracts are exchanged. (Rightmove have said as much)

The Lowdown

If you’re buying or selling a property, you’ll often see listings marked: Under Offer or Sold Subject to Contract (STC). They sound similar, but actually there are some key differences that can make all the difference to your chances of getting the place, how long it’ll take, and what happens if it all falls apart.

This guide gives you the lowdown on what each term means, how they’re different, and what this means for your plans to move.

What Does ‘Under Offer’ Mean?

A property is under offer when some one’s made an offer to buy it and the seller has said yes in principle. At this point

No legal work has started, or it’s just beginning
The agreement isn’t yet binding
The seller may still go back on their word – or consider other offers

In plain English: the deal is on the table, but it’s not set in stone yet. (Move IQ have said as much)

What Does ‘Sold Subject to Contract’ Mean?

Sold STC is when the seller has accepted an offer and the sale is now being pushed through the legal process. At this point:

The lawyers are already getting to work
Surveys and mortgage checks are underway
Both sides are working towards exchanging contracts

But here’s the thing: the sale is still not final until contracts are exchanged. (moneysupermarket.com has confirmed this too)

The Key Differences In A Nutshell

At a Glance

Under offer = fairly early on
Sold STC = a bit further down the line

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureUnder OfferSold Subject To ContractOffer accepted ✅ yes ✅ yesLegal process started ❌ no ✅ yesBuyer commitment Low HigherChance of sale falling through Higher Lower (but still a possibility)Legally binding ❌ no ❌ no

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Which Comes First?

Typically, the order goes something like this:

The property goes on the market
Someone puts in an offer
It goes under offer
It becomes sold STC
Contracts are exchanged (at which point it’s all locked in)
Completion

So sold STC is usually the next stage on from under offer. (Jon Simon Estate Agents have confirmed this)

Can I Still Put In An Offer?

Under Offer

Yes, you can.

Sellers may still accept a higher offer
Agents have to pass on new offers

Sold STC

You can still put in an offer – but it’s unlikely to succeed

Sellers are usually committed to the sale by now
The legal work is already underway

This is when gazumping can happen

Is Either Stage Legally Binding?

No, not yet.

In England and Wales, in particular, nothing is locked in until contracts are exchanged. Both buyer and seller can still back out at any stage. (That’s right – even at a relatively late stage, the sale can still fall through). (gov.uk has said as much)

Why This Matters For Buyers

Understanding the difference can help you:\

Get a better idea of just how serious the sale is
Decide whether to put in an offer
Work out what your chances are

Example:

Under offer – still worth a shot
Sold STC – a backup offer at best

Why This Matters For Sellers

If you’re on the selling side:

Under offer – you may still get a better offer
Sold STC – now the focus is on getting the sale through

But until contracts are exchanged, nothing is set in stone.

Some Common Misconceptions

“Sold STC means the house is sold”

No it doesn’t. There’s still a chance it could all fall through.

“Under offer means it’s off the market”

Not necessarily – other people can still put in offers.

“They mean completely different things”

Actually, they’re pretty similar – just at different stages in the same process. (Parkers have said this too)

What Happens After Sold STC?

Once it’s been sold STC:

The lawyers get to work
Searches start to be done
Mortgage is finalised
Surveys get completed* The contracts are put in place

The next key milestone is:
👉 Exchange of contracts – the point where it all becomes legally binding

Where Conveyancing Fits In – The Point of No Return

This is the stage where your move either starts moving really smoothly — or stalls altogether.

At the stage where the sale is subject to contract:

Legal work is now absolutely critical
Delays often start to happen
All sorts of issues start getting uncovered

👉 Having the right conveyancer can make all the difference – and we’ve got the team to prove it.

🚀 Get Your Free Conveyancing Quote and Take Control Of Your Move

From the moment a property reaches “under offer” or “sold STC”, the legal side of things becomes the most important part of your move.

At My Conveyancing Specialist you get:

Fixed fee conveyancing that takes the stress out of things
A fast and proactive service that keeps things moving
Clear communication throughout so you know exactly whats going on
No hidden costs or nasty surprises

Stay in control – get forward with confidence

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between “under offer” and “sold STC”?

Well, they’re very similar but “sold STC” tends to mean the sale is a bit further down the line

Can a house sale fall through after it has been marked as sold STC?

Yes, it can – until the contracts get exchanged, either party can back out if they want to.

Can you put in an offer on a house that is already under offer?

Yes you can – a seller can still say yes to a different offer.

Can you offer on a house that is sold STC?

Technically yes – but your chances of getting it accepted are lower.

Key Takeaways

Both terms mean an offer has been accepted by the seller
Neither of them is a done deal, legally speaking
Sold STC is a bit further along than under offer
It’s only at the exchange of contracts that things become final

Final Thoughts

“Under offer” and “sold STC” can be a bit confusing, but at the end of the day the key thing to remember is:

👉 They’re not the same as actually selling the property – they’re just stages on the way to getting there

Ready to Keep Your Move On Track?

👉 Get your free conveyancing quote from My Conveyancing Specialist today
and we’ll do our best to keep things moving smoothly.