Instructing Estate agent before letters of administration granted?

[Fuuuuuckit]

I've applied for letters of administration as my mum died intestate.

Very simple estate - one bank account, one house, no secret assets etc.

When I applied I remember reading that letters of administration MUST be approved before anyone can act - eg sorting out finances or instructing an estate agent, unlike Probate which can give authority before being rubber-stamped.

However, an estate agent friend has insisted that we can market the house before we have letters of administration.

Who's right?

Thanks in advance!

It's not illegal but I've read lots of threads on here from people who have have offered on a house only to find long delays because probate not granted.
However, if you are doing it yourself without solicitors to slow it all down I think you'll be ok.

You will need letters of administration to exchange contracts and complete the sale, but your estate agent friend is right - you can market the property now.

we were told the house can go on the market, but not actually sold until probate goes through. We have a Will here, but without one you will get information on when the sale can be completed.