Selling your house was always going to be a stressful process. From finding the most competent estate agent, styling up your home, and scheduling viewings are only but a few things to think about. But there’s still the paperwork. The selling process means you’ll need to gather some paperwork and complete some documents. Some of these are plain sailing, while others are a little more complex. To make things a little simpler, here’s a rundown on what you’ll need:
Proof of your Identity:
Gather documents that can prove your identity and address (photo ID). A utility bill or a bank statement will be required to verify your address. To confirm your appearance, you will need a copy of your passport or driving licence. This proof of identity is necessary to comply with anti-money laundering laws. Solicitors, conveyancers, and estate agents are all subject to these rules, stating that they must keep evidence for five years. After this period, the documents are destroyed, so you don’t have to worry about your data being kept on file indefinitely.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):
When you sell your home, you must include the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This document is an evaluation of your home’s energy usage and CO2 emissions, with a ranking ranging from G (least efficient) to A (most efficient). If you don’t have an EPC from the last ten years, you’ll have to get one from a certified assessor. The real estate agent usually does this.
Property Title Deeds:
You must prove that you own the property, and you may or may not have your property’s title deeds – if you don’t, don’t worry – you’ll most likely be able to obtain a copy from the attorney you used when you first applied for a mortgage or purchased your house. Furthermore, your new solicitor will be required to obtain official deeds from the Land Registry, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Shared Freehold / Leasehold documents:
Depending on the type of agreement, you must also provide either a Lease or a Share Certificate. You will need a lease if the property is a leasehold. The Share Certificate, on the other hand, is required for shared freehold homes.
Fittings and Contents form (TA10):
The TA10 form allows both parties to agree on what is included in the sale of the house. For instance, whether or not the white goods and curtains are included in the sale. The information in the document is presented on a room-by-room basis to ensuring a complete description of all items you are leaving to the buyer. If you have a garden or outdoor space, the TA10 will specify the contents of these areas.
Replacement Boiler:
If you or a previous owner replaced the boiler, documentation would be required. For starters, make sure to include the gas safe certificate or CORGI. Buyers may demand an up-to-date service if you are unable to provide the necessary records.
Electrical Certificates:
All certificates pertaining to electrical work around your home will be required. Rewiring or electrical replacements are two examples. An electrician should provide you with a building regulations compliance certificate or an electrical safety certificate, which you then pass on to the next homeowners.
Windows and Doors (FENSA certificate):
FENSA is a certificate granted to homeowners who have had replacement doors or windows installed since 2002. When selling your home, you may be required to provide the FENSA certificate. If you haven’t lived in the house since then, check the records to see if this work was done. This certificate was most likely left by the previous owner when the property was sold.
Property Information Form (TA6):
The property information form is lengthy to complete, but it is a required document when selling your home. The detailed form addresses everything from current tenants to boundaries and ongoing complaints and disputes with neighbours. So make sure to make time to complete this form. If your paperwork is disorganised, your home may not sell within the average selling time in the UK.
Documents for alterations or extensions.
Did you add an extension or make a change to increase the value of your home before selling it? If that’s the case, you’ll need proof that the legal process was followed. For example, you may have obtained building regulation approval and planning permission before beginning your renovations. Of course, not all upgrades necessitate a permit. However, it is critical to be informed from the start to avoid a delayed sale.
Management information packs:
If you pay service charges or have a leasehold property, you may also need to request a Management Information Pack (also known as a Leasehold Information Pack). Your solicitor can arrange for this through the freeholder or managing agent. As with most aspects of this process, speed is of the essence – and it’s best to do this as soon as possible, as it may take a while to be processed and sent out.
Mortgage Details:
You will need to provide information regarding your current mortgage, such as account information and the amount you still owe, as well as any additional loans or charges registered against your home. If there is any outstanding payment, you will be expected to sign an undertaking. This is essentially a promise that you will use the proceeds from the sale to pay off the mortgage and that the buyer will have no liability for the mortgage.
It’s certainly a long list of paperwork that needs to be collected and completed to sell a house. We completely understand how daunting this must seem, but the good news is you are not expected to collect the documents yourself. If the move is taxing you or your job consumes all of your time, you may want to sell through a company that can handle all of the legal paperwork on your behalf.
