What documents do I need to sell my house?
Thinking about selling your home? You’ve probably asked yourself: ‘What paperwork do I need to sell my house?’ Getting your paperwork sorted early on can help the selling process go more smoothly and prevent any last-minute delays. The most important documents you’ll need include:
- Proof of identity
- Title deeds
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Leasehold property documents
- Fittings and contents (TA10) form
- Property information (TA6) form
- New build warranties
- Building work and other guarantees
- Safety certificates
Our guide breaks down each of these documents, why they’re important and how to obtain them, helping you feel more prepared when it’s time to put your property on the market.
Identity checks
When selling your home, all parties involved in the sale of the house will need to verify your identity, including solicitors and estate agents. It’s a legal requirement for anti-money laundering protection, which safeguards both you and the buyer from fraud. Without proper ID checks, you can’t move forward with the sale.
What ID do I need?
You’ll need two types of ID:
- One photo ID, like a passport or a driving licence
- One proof of address document, such as a recent utility bill, bank statement or council document dated within the last three months
You can find a full list of accepted documents on the GOV.UK website.
Common ID issues (and how to avoid them)
One of the most common issues with ID checks is using expired documents or outdated proof of address, but this is relatively easy to avoid.
For your photo ID, ensure your passport or driving license is up to date before you begin the selling process. When it comes to your proof of address, check that your documents are not older than three months.
Title deeds
Think of title deeds as your home’s birth certificate – they prove that you legally own it and include other important details, such as:
- History of ownership
- Rights and restrictions attached to the property
- Sale agreements
- Whether the property is a leasehold or a freehold
Where can I find my title deeds?
You should have received the title deeds from your solicitor when you first bought your home. But if you can’t find them, don’t worry. Since 1990, all properties in England and Wales must be registered with the Land Registry, so you should be able to locate them. You can check if your property is registered and order a copy of the deeds online for £7.
In Scotland, property registration is handled by Registers of Scotland, where most properties have been registered since the early 2000s. You can buy a copy online for £3 plus VAT.
You can also try your mortgage lender, conveyancing solicitor or previous owners.
What if my home isn’t in the Land Registry?
If your home isn’t registered, you’ll need to complete a first registration (FR1) form. This is essential because it provides an official record of your ownership.
Prepare any documents that can prove you own the property. If you can’t find your title deeds, the Land Registry will consider other evidence, such as mortgage statements or your purchase contract. This process can be complex, so it’s strongly recommended to use a conveyancing solicitor to support you.
EPC
An EPC rates your home’s energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also suggests steps you can take to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and lower your running costs.
Do I need an EPC?
Yes – sellers must provide an EPC as soon as their property is listed for sale or rent.
Why is an EPC important?
An EPC provides potential buyers with valuable insight into your property's energy efficiency and associated running costs, including gas and electricity bills. Properties with better ratings (A to C) are more appealing to buyers, helping to lower annual energy costs.
How can I get an EPC?
If you bought your home in the last 10 years, you might already have one. You can search by postcode on the GOV.UK website (or the Scottish EPC register if you're in Scotland).
No EPC? Book an assessment with a qualified assessor. Our comprehensive EPC guide provides you with everything you need to know about EPCs and how to obtain one.
Leasehold property documents
If you own a leasehold property, you’ll need additional documents that help buyers understand what they’re committing to.
What is a leasehold property?
If your home is a leasehold, it means you own the property for a fixed period but not the land that it sits on.
Your lease agreement
This document is essential. It includes key details your buyer will want to know, such as:
- Ground rent, which are payments made to the freeholder (landlord) who owns the land that the property sits on
- Service charges, or fees paid by the leaseholder to cover the costs of services, repairs, maintenance and improvements for their building or estate
- The length of the lease and its start date
The lease agreement must be complete and up-to-date, including any variations or amendments. If you no longer have a copy of your lease, check with the freeholder who owns the land or their managing agency. You can also check with your solicitor or the Land Registry.
Management information pack
A management information pack is like a comprehensive health check for your leasehold property. It’s a set of documents that provides a clear overview of the property’s finances, any planned repairs or work, and what responsibilities come with owning it. Some information, such as details of the ground rent, may overlap with the lease agreement. While the exact contents can vary, a management information pack typically includes:
- An LPE1 form, with basic details about the freeholder and management agency, ground rent and service charge details
- The Deed of Covenant, which is a legal agreement that sets out your responsibilities as a leaseholder
- Building insurance information
- Details of any major planned works
How to obtain a management information pack
If you're selling a leasehold property, you'll need a management information pack from your landlord or managing agent. Your solicitor can help with the request and send it to the buyer once it’s ready. It can take a few weeks to arrive, so it’s best to request it early.
A management information pack usually costs £200-£500, depending on how quickly you need it and the complexity of your property.
Do I need to provide a management information pack as a seller?
No, but a buyer’s solicitor and mortgage lender will typically request one from the seller to check for any financial or legal issues that could impact the sale or future ownership.
Common leasehold issues
A common concern for many buyers is the length of the lease. If your lease has less than 80 years left, it’s worth thinking about extending it before you sell. Many mortgage lenders won’t approve loans on properties with leases shorter than 80 years.
High ground rents or increasing service charges can also deter buyers from purchasing leasehold properties.
Fittings and contents (TA10) form
The TA10 form is your chance to be completely clear about what comes with your house, from couches and wardrobes to garden sheds and patio chairs.
It’s important to be honest and thorough. Being explicit about what’s included in the sale helps the buyer know exactly what they’re getting and can prevent disagreements down the line. Once contracts are exchanged, this form is legally binding.
Property information (TA6) form
The TA6 form is a comprehensive questionnaire that provides the buyer with detailed insights into your home. It covers things like:
- Who is responsible for boundary fences
- Any ongoing disputes with neighbours
- Planning developments in your area
- Warranties
- Insurance costs
New build warranties
If you’re selling a new build home, you’ll usually need to provide proof of a new build warranty to potential buyers. Most mortgage lenders require this warranty as a condition for lending, ensuring their investment is protected.
These warranties are often transferable, meaning they can be passed on to future owners when the property is sold, providing ongoing protection and adding significant value to your home.
Types of new build warranties
The most common one is provided by the National House-Building Council (NHBC). Known as the NHBC Buildmark, it covers defects in the first two years and major structural problems for the following eight years.
All our new build homes are covered by the NHBC warranty and insurance policy. This means we’ve followed recognised standards to help ensure your home is safe, built to last and less likely to have problems later on.
Why are warranties important?
New build warranties provide buyers with peace of mind and can make your property more appealing than older homes without similar protection.
Building work and other guarantees
If you’ve done any building work, extensions or improvements, you’ll need to provide evidence of the proper permissions and approvals to show that the work meets legal and safety standards. This includes planning permissions, Building Regulations completion certificates and other relevant guarantees.
Planning permission
Planning permission is approval from your local authority that’s needed before carrying out certain types of building work or changes to your property. You usually need it if you:
- Build something new
- Make major changes to your property, such as adding an extension
- Change how your property is used – for example, converting a house into flats
Some documents you may need to provide are:
- Decision notices – confirm when planning permission was applied for and granted
- Lawful Development Certificates (LDC) – issued when work on a property didn’t require planning permission and was therefore legal
Building completion certificates
Building regulations are in place to ensure that any work done on your home is safe, energy-efficient and meets the required standards. If you've had any work done, such as an extension, loft conversion or structural changes, you should provide building completion certificates. These are provided by your local council or an approved inspector once the work has been assessed and approved.
Other guarantees
No home is perfect. If you've fixed problems like damp or poor insulation, it shows that you’re a responsible homeowner who takes care of your property. This can make you seem more reliable to prospective buyers and provide much-needed reassurance about your home's condition.
Gather any receipts or evidence for maintenance work to share with the buyer or their solicitor.
Safety certificates
It’s worth providing your buyer with gas, electrical and Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) certificates to reassure them about your property’s safety.
Gas safety certificate
For gas safety certificates, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect your boiler and gas appliances. The inspection typically costs £60-£120, depending on the property's location, the number of appliances and the time of year.
While you’re not legally required to provide a gas safety certificate, it’s a small investment that can help reassure your buyer about the property’s safety.
Electrical safety certificate
If you’ve altered your electric wiring since January 2005, you need to provide an electrical safety certificate – also known as a Part P certificate – to confirm the work meets safety standards.
If you can’t find your certificate, contact the electrician who carried out the work or check with your local authority. They may have a copy or be able to inspect the work and issue a new certificate for you.
FENSA certificates
FENSA is a government-authorised scheme that monitors compliance with building regulations for replacement windows and doors.
If you've had new windows or doors fitted, a FENSA certificate shows the work complies with Building Regulations 2010. While it's not legally required, it reassures buyers that the installation was done to a recognised standard and registered with the local council.
A FENSA certificate can only be issued if a FENSA-approved installer carried out the works.
Thinking about selling your home? If you're considering upgrading to a brand-new property, explore our range of new build homes across the UK.
Contact our Sales Advisers today – they can guide you throughout the entire homebuying process.
FAQs
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Important documents include your title deeds, your TA6 and T10 forms, your EPC and your proof of identity documents.
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Some additional documents you might need include a Part P certificate if you’ve altered your electric wiring since 2005, a gas safety certificate, planning permissions and building regulations certificates.
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You need one primary form of photo identification (such as a passport or driving licence) and one recent proof of address document (such as a utility bill, bank statement or council tax bill dated within the last three months).
Help to Sell
If you’re looking to start your next adventure, but are worried about the hassle of moving, we have a range of schemes available to help you sell your existing home.
Armed Forces Deposit Contribution
We're offering Britain's military servicemen and women a 5% deposit contribution to help them buy a brand-new home.
Key Worker Deposit Contribution
As a thank you for the support provided to our communities, we are offering key workers a contribution of £1,000 for every £20,000 up to £25,000.
Own New - Rate Reducer
Own New - Rate Reducer is a scheme available on new build homes that could mean lower mortgage rates and reduced monthly payments.
Low Deposit Offers
If you have a low deposit, we have a variety of schemes available to help make moving more affordable. Learn more here.
Part Exchange
We could be your guaranteed buyer, so no stress or fuss, just an easy move for you and your family.
Parent Power
If you’re getting financial support from your family or friends to help you get on the property ladder, we could match it, up to a maximum of 5% of the purchase price.
