Scenarios|Help Centre
Build your plan
Help Centre/Tutorials/How to model selling a property (including buy-to-let)

How to model selling a property (including buy-to-let)

3 min read

Summary

  • Set the property's Sale / Completion Age — once your plan passes it, the property drops out of your projections and IHT estate.
  • Work out the net proceeds yourself (Scenarios doesn't calculate Capital Gains Tax), then add them as a Planned Lump Sum linked to the property, at the exact same age.
  • If it's a rental, set its End Age on the property card to when the tenancy actually ends — that can be earlier than completion.

Steps

1. On the Property step, add the property as usual and set What is this property? to Rental. Its rent, expense ratio, and dates all appear right on the card — no separate income entry needed unless it's jointly owned (see rental income for that case).

2. Set the property's Sale / Completion Age. Once your plan passes this age, the property is treated as sold and drops out of your projections and IHT estate figures.

3. Work out the net amount you'll actually receive. Capital Gains Tax may be due if the property isn't your main home — Scenarios doesn't calculate this for you, so check gov.uk's guidance on tax when you sell property and use the amount after any tax owed, not the gross sale price.

4. Go to the account you'll hold the proceeds in, add a Planned Lump Sum for that net amount, and use the Property sale / disposal dropdown to link it to the property. Set the lump sum's age to match the property's Sale / Completion Age exactly — this is what makes the property and its proceeds hand off cleanly on the IHT tab.

5. If the property is a rental, set its End Age (right there on the property card) to when the tenancy actually ends. This is often earlier than legal completion, since a property can sit empty between the last tenant leaving and the sale finishing.

Example scenarios

"I'm selling a buy-to-let at age 70"

Set the property to Rental, set its End Age to when the tenancy ends, set the Sale / Completion Age to 70, then add a linked Planned Lump Sum at age 70 for the net proceeds. Rental income stops at the tenancy end age, the property drops out of net worth and the IHT estate at 70, and the net proceeds appear as a lump sum in the receiving account from that age onward.

"My lump sum age doesn't match the property's sale age — does it matter?"

Yes. If you deliberately set them a year apart and check the IHT tab around that period, the property and its proceeds won't hand off cleanly — there can be a gap or overlap in the estate figures. Keeping the two ages identical avoids this.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a separate buy-to-let toggle?
Yes — pick "Rental" under "What is this property?" on the property card. Rent, expense ratio, and dates all show inline once you do, with no separate step needed for a single-owner rental.
Does Scenarios calculate Capital Gains Tax on the sale?
No. Enter the lump sum as the net amount you'd actually receive after any tax owed, not the gross sale price. See gov.uk's guidance on tax when you sell property.

More in Tutorials

How to run your first projectionHow to use the interactive slidersHow to compare scenariosHow to compare different plansHow to set up your withdrawal strategy
Still need help?

Can't find what you're looking for? We read every message and usually reply within 24 hours.

support@scenarios.uk
Scenarios
Build your financial plan, properly.
© 2026 Scenarios Software Ltd.
Scenarios is a trading name of Scenarios Software Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 17046348. ICO registration: ZC115276.
Registered office: 1 Lievesley Grove, Nottingham, NG4 4LW