Winning an Omaze house draw raises all sorts of practical questions. Can the property be sold straight away, what do the prize terms allow, and who covers the costs during the changeover?
This guide walks through the key points, from title transfer and saleability to any cash alternatives, typical fees and taxes, and how a sale would work in practice. It also clears up whether selling affects the charity donation tied to the draw.
Read on to learn more.
Can I Sell The Omaze House Immediately After Winning?
In most cases, a winner can sell the property once the legal transfer is complete and their ownership is registered. That change of ownership happens through conveyancing, which involves identity checks, signed documents and registration with HM Land Registry. It can take several weeks, and occasionally longer where the title is complex.
After completion, the owner is generally free to list the house for sale. Any limits on resale usually come from the property’s title or planning rules rather than the promoter. Examples include covenants on a new-build development, restrictions in a lease, or conditions tied to a conservation area.
Because each draw can vary slightly, it is sensible to read the prize terms and any property documents provided with that specific home. If anything looks unusual, a short conversation with a solicitor can often clarify it quickly.
Curious what in the small print can influence how easy a property is to sell? That is where the official terms and the underlying title documents matter.
Omaze Prize Terms That Affect Saleability
Prize terms mostly deal with eligibility, acceptance and transfer timelines, but there are details that can influence a later sale. Common examples include publicity requirements around the handover, deadlines to complete the transfer, and the obligation to accept the prize as described.
Saleability is more often affected by the property’s legal status:
- Leasehold homes can have clauses about ground rent, service charges, permissions to alter, and rules on subletting. Shorter leases can make mortgages harder to secure for future buyers.
- Freehold properties can still carry restrictive covenants, such as limits on building extensions, parking commercial vehicles, or using the home for short-term lets.
- New-build estates sometimes have management companies and estate charges, with rules about alterations or resale notifications.
None of these are unusual in the UK market, but they are worth understanding before you decide when and how to sell. The draw materials and the legal pack will usually include everything needed for a solicitor to advise on any points that could slow a future sale.
If a direct payout is more appealing, you might wonder about a cash alternative.
Is There A Cash Alternative Instead Of The House?
Omaze UK house draws usually do not provide a cash alternative. The prize is the specific property featured in the promotion. If a winner prefers money rather than ownership, the usual route is to complete the transfer, then sell the house on the open market.
The amount realised depends on the price achieved and the costs deducted, such as estate agent fees, legal fees, and moving or holding costs while the property is marketed. Market conditions and timing play a part, so proceeds can be higher or lower than expected.
Tax is another point to consider. Capital Gains Tax may apply if the property is not your main residence. The tax position can be nuanced, so many winners ask an independent tax adviser to review their circumstances before deciding whether to keep or sell.
If selling is on your mind, the first formal step is the legal transfer into your name.
How Title Transfer And Deeds Work For Omaze Prizes
Ownership moves to the winner through a standard conveyancing process. After the promoter confirms eligibility and the prize is accepted, a solicitor or conveyancer prepares the transfer deed, verifies identities and handles completion. The winner then becomes the legal owner, and the change is registered with HM Land Registry.
Timescales vary. The legal transfer can often complete within a few weeks, depending on how quickly documents are signed and any title checks required. HM Land Registry registration can take longer behind the scenes, but that does not usually delay a sale once completion has taken place.
Winners typically receive keys on completion and take on the usual responsibilities of ownership from that date. Where the promoter covers initial legal fees or Stamp Duty for the transfer to the winner, this will be stated in the prize terms for that draw.
Once the title is in your name, ongoing costs start to accrue, even if the plan is to sell.
Who Pays For Taxes, Fees And Ongoing Costs?
After completion, the winner becomes responsible for the running costs of the property. That normally includes council tax, utilities, buildings insurance, and any service charges or ground rent on a leasehold, or estate charges on some freeholds.
Many draws state that the promoter covers certain initial costs, such as legal fees for the transfer and Stamp Duty Land Tax on the prize handover. These inclusions can differ between draws, so it is worth checking the wording for the specific property.
If the winner intends to sell, short-term holding costs will still apply until the sale completes. Maintenance, compliance checks, and any required certificates, such as an Energy Performance Certificate for marketing, may also be needed.
With the practicalities of cost in mind, most sellers find that professional legal help keeps the process on track.
Do I Need A Solicitor To Sell The Prize Property?
It is possible to sell without a solicitor, but most people use one because property sales involve detailed contracts, standard forms and careful checks. A solicitor or conveyancer prepares the sale contract, answers buyer enquiries, handles deposit funds, agrees completion arrangements and manages exchange.
They also coordinate with the estate agent and the buyer’s legal team, review the title for any issues that might delay the sale, and make sure all required documents are provided, such as guarantees, warranties and permissions. This tends to reduce the risk of last-minute problems and helps the sale progress more smoothly.
If that sounds reassuring, the next section shows how a typical sale unfolds from acceptance to completion.
Steps To Sell The House: Acceptance To Completion
The journey usually starts with prize acceptance and the legal transfer into the winner’s name. During conveyancing, identity and eligibility checks are completed, the transfer deed is signed, and a completion date is agreed. Once completed, the winner holds legal title and can decide whether to keep or sell.
If selling, most owners instruct an estate agent to value and market the property. Preparing for market often involves gathering documents that buyers will expect to see, such as planning permissions, warranties for fixtures and appliances, guarantees for any recent works, and lease or management information if relevant. An Energy Performance Certificate is needed for marketing in England and Wales.
When an offer is accepted, the legal work begins in earnest. The seller’s solicitor issues the draft contract and title documents, then responds to enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor. When both sides are satisfied, contracts are exchanged and a completion date is set. On completion, funds are transferred, keys are released, and the buyer is registered as the new owner with HM Land Registry.
Timeframes vary with market conditions and the property’s complexity, but a well-prepared file and prompt replies to enquiries can make a noticeable difference.
Common Restrictions On Reselling Prize Properties
Restrictions tied to the property, rather than the prize itself, are the main factors to watch. Typical examples include:
- Lease terms that limit subletting, require consent for alterations, or impose fees on assignment.
- New-build covenants that restrict exterior changes, signage, or short-term holiday letting.
- Title covenants requiring certain standards of maintenance or prohibiting specific uses.
- Local planning rules, conservation area conditions or listed building controls that limit alterations or extensions.
- Right of first refusal or notice requirements in some leases or management schemes.
These are normal features of the UK property landscape, but they can influence how quickly a sale proceeds or the pool of potential buyers. Reviewing the title, lease and any management company documents at the outset helps prevent surprises and keeps the sale timeline realistic.
With the practical questions covered, there is one final point many people ask about.
Will Selling Affect The Charity Donation Or Prize Terms?
Selling the property after you have received it does not affect the charity donation. The donation is calculated from entries during the promotion and is arranged independently of a winner’s later choices. What happens to the house after transfer does not change the amount given.
Prize terms usually focus on confirming eligibility, accepting the prize and completing the legal transfer. Once you own the property, there are rarely restrictions in the prize rules on selling it, beyond any obligations already explained in the legal documents for that home. As always, check the specific draw terms so you know the exact position.
If you are taking part in prize draws, do so in a considered way. Set limits that suit your circumstances, and seek support if play stops feeling manageable. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help.
Handled with clear information and the right advice, winning and then selling an Omaze house can be a straightforward process that fits your plans without affecting the charitable outcome.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.