It’s time to sell your house! You’re excited and a little bit nervous at the same time. You know you need to prepare for the sale, choose the best estate agent, stage your home, and take some photos.
However, another important step is to prepare all the various documents needed for the sale.
But what documents and certificates do you need? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we will discuss the documents you need for selling your house.
Let’s get started!
Proof of identity
The first thing you’ll need in order to sell your home is proof of identity. This is to ensure that you are who you say you are and that the property belongs to you.
Conveyancers and estate agents are required by law to check your identity, in order to comply with anti-money laundering rules.
Your solicitor or estate agent will need to see proof of ID such as your passport or driving licence. And also proof of address, so they can be sure you live at the property you’re selling. A utility bill or bank statement with your name and address on it will suffice.
Management Information Pack
If you are living in a leasehold property or are required to pay ground rent and service charges, you must obtain a Leasehold Information Pack or Management Information Pack.
This is a document that contains information about the property, the lease, and the terms of the lease. It also includes information about the management of the property, including who is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
The MIP can take several weeks to arrive, so it is important to purchase it as soon as possible. The documents can be obtained through a solicitor. However, you can also acquire the pack yourself through the freeholder or your managing agent. By obtaining the management information pack early on in the process, you can help to ensure that the sale of your property goes smoothly.
Leasehold & shared freehold documents
If you have a leasehold property, you will need to give them a copy of the lease agreement. This document outlines the terms of your lease, including how long it lasts and what the annual rent is.
If you have a shared freehold property, you will need to provide a copy of the transfer deed. This document shows who owns each part of the property and outlines any restrictions on what can be done with it.
In both cases, these documents will give your buyer all the information they need to know about their new home.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Another important document you need, when selling a property, is an Energy Performance Certificate. This is a document that shows how energy efficient your home is. It rates your property on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least.
You are required by law to have an EPC for your property if you are selling it or renting it out. You can get an EPC from a qualified assessor, or usually, your estate agent can arrange this for you.
Obtaining an EPC can be a simple and straightforward process, and it can give your property a real boost when it comes to marketing. In addition, buyer confidence in energy-efficient homes is high, so an EPC can help you to stand out from the competition.
Electrical Safety Certificate
Before putting your house on the market, it’s important to make sure that all the electrical systems are up to code. This includes obtaining an Electrical Safety Certificate, which will show potential buyers that the electrical system has been inspected and is safe to use.
This document, also called an EICR, is issued by a qualified electrician and it assesses the condition of your home’s electrical installation. It’s important to have this certificate because it shows potential buyers that your home is safe and up to date with current safety standards.
Getting an electrical safety certificate is a simple process: just contact a qualified electrician and they will be able to carry out the assessment and issue the certificate.
Once you have the certificate, you can rest assured that your home is safe and ready to sell.
Gas Safety Certificate
If your property has gas appliances, you will need a Gas Safety Certificate. This document shows that the appliances have been inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer and that they are safe to use.
Whilst this is not a legal requirement, it’s important to have this certificate because it gives potential buyers peace of mind that their new home is safe.
Boiler Replacement & Servicing Documentation
If you have had a new boiler fitted, have a look for the boiler installation certificate. This document shows that the boiler has been fitted by a qualified engineer and that it meets current safety standards.
The buyer might also request the service records, just to make sure that the boiler has been serviced on a regular basis.
Property Title Deeds
Another important document you will need when selling a house is the Property Title Deeds.
The Property Title Deeds are held by the Land Registry. They contain all the information about the property, including who owns it, any mortgages or charges on the property, and any restrictions on its use. The Title Deeds also show any rights of way that exist over the property.
If you’re selling your property, you’ll need to provide the buyer with a copy of the property Title Deeds.
Your solicitor or conveyancer can help you to obtain these documents, and they will be able to give you more information about what they contain.
Building regulation certificates
If you have had any building work done to your property, you will need to provide the buyer with a Building Regulations Completion Certificate
This document shows that the work has been carried out in accordance with the relevant building regulations and that it is safe to use
The certificate should be issued by the local authority or by the person who carried out the work
If you cannot find the certificate, you can ask the local authority for a copy
The Building Regulations Completion Certificate is important because it gives potential buyers peace of mind that the property has been built to a high standard and that it is safe to live in.
Fittings and contents form (TA10)
The fittings and contents form (TA10) is a document that lists all the fixtures and fittings that are included in the sale of the property.
This document is important because it helps to avoid any disputes later on about what exactly is included in the sale.
Your estate agent or solicitor will usually prepare the TA10 form for you. They will ask you to list all the fixtures and fittings that you want to include in the sale, and they will also ask you to indicate any items that are excluded from the sale.
Once the TA10 form is complete, it should be given to the buyer so that they are aware of what is included in the sale.
Property information form (TA6)
The property information form (TA6) is a document that contains all the important information about the property, such as property boundaries, any neighbour complaints or disputes, existence of any warranties, building notices, etc..
This form is important because it helps the buyer to understand more about the property before they make an offer.
Your solicitor or conveyancers will usually prepare the TA6 form for you. They will ask you to provide all the relevant information about the property, and they will also ask you to declare any known problems or defects. It’s important that your answers are accurate as possible.
New build warranties
If your property is a new build, or under 10 years old, you should have a warranty from the builder. This document offers protection to the buyer in the event that there are any problems with the property after completion of the sale.
Guarantees and other warranties
If you have any other warranties or guarantees for work that has been carried out on the property, you should provide these to the buyer.
This could include things like central heating systems, boilers, solar panels, etc
FENSA certificate
If your property has double glazing, you should have a FENSA certificate. This document shows that the double glazing has been installed by a qualified engineer and that it meets current safety standards.
The buyer might request to see the FENSA certificate as part of their due diligence, so it’s important to have this document to hand.
Need Help Selling A House?
If you’re planning to sell your property, check out our top 7 things to do to prepare your house for sale. And of course, if you need any extra help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Frank Modern Estate Agents.
We’d be happy to assist you with every step of the process and make sure that your home sells quickly and for a great price. Thanks for reading!
