What Does STC Mean? A Clear Guide for UK Home Buyers
If you’ve been scrolling through London home listings, you’ve probably stumbled across the little acronym “STC” — sometimes tucked beside a price, sometimes stamped boldly next to a home you really wanted.
But what does it actually mean?
STC = Sold Subject to Contract
In simple terms, STC means the property has an accepted offer, but the sale is not legally binding yet.
It tells you:
A buyer and seller have agreed on a price.
Lawyers haven’t exchanged contracts yet.
Either party can still walk away.
In the UK, nothing is legally locked in until exchange of contracts — that’s when the sale becomes binding.
So when you see “3-bed flat in Shoreditch — £865,000 STC,” it means someone’s beaten you to the offer… but the door isn’t fully closed yet.
Why Agents Use STC
Estate agents mark a property as STC to show the home is under offer and progressing through the usual checks:
surveys
mortgage approvals
legal paperwork
conveyancing searches
It’s a polite way of saying: “Someone’s ahead in the queue, but let’s see how the process goes.”
Can You Still View a Property That’s STC?
Short answer: Yes — sometimes.
Long answer: It depends on the seller’s appetite.
Some are open to backup viewings. Some prefer to pause all viewings. Some welcome “proceedable buyers” — meaning buyers who are chain-free, mortgage-ready, or cash.
If you’re genuinely interested, it’s worth a call. Sales fall through more often than people think.
Around 1 in 3 property sales in the UK collapse before completion.
Source: HomeOwners Alliance, 2024
Translation?
Being persistent can pay off.
STC vs SSTC — Don’t Get Confused
You’ll see two versions:
STC — Sold Subject to Contract
SSTC — Sold Subject to Contract (fully spelled out)
They mean exactly the same thing. No difference. No hidden fine print.
Is a Property “Off the Market” When It’s STC?
Not fully. STC is a middle ground — a hopeful handshake, not a binding promise.
The property is honourably reserved but legally still floating.
Only after:
✔ survey
✔ mortgage offer
✔ legal checks
✔ exchange of contracts
…does the home truly leave the marketplace.
Final Word: STC Is a Pause, Not a Period
Think of STC as London’s property market whispering,
“Not right now… but maybe.”
It’s a gentle reminder that the game isn’t over until the contracts exchange and the keys change hands.