Are Duplexes Hard to Sell?

If you own a duplex and you’re thinking about selling, it’s easy to worry you’ve got a “tricky” property on your hands.

Maybe your buyers keep confusing it with a flat, a maisonette or a house share. Maybe you’ve already tried the open market and feel like you’re waiting for that one buyer who actually gets it.

So, let’s walk through what a duplex reallyis in UK terms, how buyers see them, whether duplexes are hard to sell and what you can do if yours is proving stubborn.

First things first, what is a duplex?

In simple terms, a duplex is a single building that’s been divided into two self-contained homes. That might be side by side, or one above the other, with each having its own front door, kitchen and bathroom.

In the UK, people sometimes use “duplex apartment” for a flat that’s spread over two floors inside a larger block, a bit like an indoor townhouse. When buyers ask what is a duplex or even search “what is a duplex apartment?”, they usually mean one of these two setups.

Most duplexes are leasehold if they’re in a converted house or block, which means you own the home for a set number of years rather than the land itself. Leaseholders usually pay ground rent, service charges and have specific rights and responsibilities.

Clear plans and accurate registration are really important for flats and maisonettes, which often includes duplex style homes. That all matters when you come to sell, because buyers and their solicitors will want the paperwork to stack up.

Are duplexes hard to sell?

Alright, here’s the honest answer to “are duplexes hard to sell?”…

The truth is, they can be harder to sell than a straightforward semi or a standard flat. That said, it depends on your area, your layout and your paperwork. The more “normal” your duplex feels to a buyer and their lender, the easier life tends to be. Duplexes aren’t bad properties at all, they’re just more niche.

Things that can make a duplex slower to shift include:

• Unusual layouts that feel awkward or dark
• Lots of stairs, which can put off older buyers or families with young children
• Conversion work without clear building regulations sign-off
• Leasehold issues like very short leases or high service charges

Leasehold rules and charges are a big one. Service charges, maintenance and ground rent all push up the running costs for leasehold homes. Buyers will weigh these costs up against the price, and some will choose a simpler freehold house instead.

So duplexes aren’t automatically hard to sell, but there’s less of a “default” audience. You’re often waiting for the right kind of buyer rather than just any buyer.

Common worries when selling a duplex

If you’re feeling stuck, you’re probably bumping up against one of these:

• Buyers don’t fully understand how the building’s divided or who owns what
• The lease is short, or nobody’s sure about extending it
• There are questions around fire safety (such as the EWS1 Certificate), soundproofing or access
• The local market’s slower for flats than houses

The government’s leasehold guidance underlines how important it is to understand your lease length, your obligations and how major works are paid for, long before you sell.

If you’re vague on those answers, buyers will sense it and either chip away at the price or walk away. Their solicitors will be cautious too, especially after recent leasehold and building safety reforms.

Add in the usual sale stresses like chains, mortgage delays and survey results, and a duplex sale can start to feel like more trouble than it’s worth.

How to make a duplex easier to sell

The good news is there’s plenty you can do before you even list.

First, get clear on your paperwork. That means:

• Knowing your lease length and any ground rent or service charge figures
• Gathering building regulations certificates for conversion works if you have them
• Making sure the Land Registry title plan actually matches what you own

Next, think about the story you’re telling buyers. Spell out:

• How the building’s divided
• Which entrances, gardens or parking spaces belong to which home
• How you’ve used the space in real life

A bit of staging goes a long way too. If your duplex has two reception rooms, show one as a relaxed living space and the other as an office or spare bedroom, so buyers can see the flexibility. If you’ve got a shared hall or stairwell, keep it clean and well lit.

Finally, be realistic on price. If the local market strongly prefers houses, buyers might expect a little discount for something more unusual, even if it’s bigger inside.

Stuck with a duplex? You still have options

What about if you’ve done the viewings, dropped the price and ticked all the other boxes and your duplex still isn’t shifting? Take heart: it doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever. It usually just means you’re dealing with a more niche property in a slow or fussy market. 

At that point, it’s really about how much time, money and headspace you want to keep throwing at it.

That’s where we can step in. At Sell House Fast, we’re a direct cash house buyer, so we’re not relying on mortgages, chains or nervous lenders who don’t quite understand the layout. We look at the numbers, make you a clear cash offer and work to a timescale that suits you, often completing in a matter of days.

Here’s what you get with us:

• Personal, tailored service with a named contact who keeps you updated
• A simple, transparent process with no hidden fees and your standard legal costs covered
• Fast, cash-based purchases so you’re not waiting on someone else for finance
• UK-wide coverage, whether your duplex is in a city block or a converted house
• Offers based on real market data and a team that follows The Property Ombudsman code for fair practice

If you’re ready to stop worrying and move on from your duplex, pop your postcode into our online form and get a free, no obligation cash offer. We’ll talk you through your options in plain English so you can decide if selling your duplex quickly and hassle-free is the right move for you.