When you instruct a solicitor to handle the sale of your home, they will ask you to provide a range of documents and to complete several forms about the property. Gathering these in advance speeds up the conveyancing process and reduces the chance of delays caused by missing paperwork.

Title Documents

For registered properties, the solicitor obtains official copies of the title register and title plan directly from HM Land Registry and does not need you to provide original deeds. However, if you have any documents relating to planning permissions, restrictive covenants, or other matters registered against the title, these should be located and provided to the solicitor.

Property Information Forms

The seller must complete the TA6 Property Information Form and the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form. The TA6 asks about boundaries, disputes with neighbours, alterations and extensions, planning and building regulation history, any guarantees or warranties, environmental matters, and utility connections. It is the seller's formal disclosure document. The TA10 records what is included in and excluded from the sale in terms of fixtures and fittings.

Building Regulations Certificates

Any alterations or additions to the property, including extensions, loft conversions, new heating systems, and electrical work, should have a Building Regulations completion certificate or a Competent Persons certificate confirming the work was signed off. Buyers and their solicitors will ask for these. Missing certificates may require indemnity insurance to be put in place.

Planning Permissions

Planning permissions for any extensions, outbuildings, or changes of use should be located and provided. A Lawful Development Certificate, if obtained for permitted development works, is particularly useful for demonstrating compliance without a planning permission.

Guarantees and Warranties

NHBC Buildmark warranties for new homes, timber treatment guarantees, damp proofing guarantees, FENSA certificates for window replacements, and any other structural or material guarantees should be gathered. Transferable guarantees are valuable to buyers as the remaining period is assigned to them on completion.

Energy Performance Certificate

A valid EPC is required before the property can be marketed for sale. If a valid EPC from the last ten years exists, a new one is not needed. If not, commission an EPC assessor, costing sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds, before listing.

Summary

Selling a house requires completing the TA6 and TA10 forms, providing Building Regulations certificates for any alteration work, planning permissions, guarantees and warranties, and a valid EPC. The solicitor obtains the title register from Land Registry. Gathering all documents before listing reduces exchange delays. Missing certificates typically require indemnity insurance to resolve.