Prove who you are
Providing your identification documents (ID) and instruction forms quickly will enable your solicitor to open a file for you and conduct their compliance checks.
For compliance purposes solicitors are required to run checks with third party agencies and verify your identity biometrically. They will also need evidence of your ownership, such as the title deeds or a mortgage statement.
Title deeds
The title deeds are perhaps the most critical documents when selling a property. These documents prove your ownership of the property and provide details about its boundaries, any rights of way, and other important information.
Your property will more than likely be registered with the Land Registry and your solicitor can obtain an electronic copy. However, if it’s unregistered, for instance if your property hasn’t changed hands since 1970s and is local to one of our offices, the original title deeds will be required. This is because the Land Registry phased in the registration process over several decades and for Cheshire, Manchester and Wales registration was not made compulsory until after the 1970s.
Information forms
These two forms are required in all transactions which your solicitor will use to create the contract for sale:
Property information form: This form provides important details about the property, including boundaries, alterations made to the property, flooding and service providers.
Fittings and contents form: This form lists all the items in the property that are included or excluded from the sale. This includes everything from kitchen appliances to light fixtures. It helps prevent disputes between buyer and seller about what is included in the sale.
In addition to the two standard forms if the property is a leasehold flat or house you will also be asked to complete a Leasehold Information Form which asks for landlord and management company details along with current charges for the property.
Property amendments documents
If you’ve made any alterations or extensions to the property, you’ll need to provide evidence that the work was done in compliance with building regulations and that planning permission was granted. This might include completion certificates, planning permissions, and any other relevant approvals.
If you do not have the original documents or did not obtain the necessary permissions for changes to your property, then let your conveyancer know early on in the process to discuss how this can be addressed with the buyers.
Any warranties or guarantees for work carried out on the property should be provided to the buyer. This could include guarantees for a new boiler, windows, doors, roofing, or any other major installations. These give the buyer peace of mind regarding the quality of the work and any potential future issues.
Professional organisations such as Gas Safe, FENSA, Certass and NICEIC have registers of installations completed by their members and you can obtain duplicate certificates if these have been lost.
Covenant consents
If your property is leasehold it is likely to have restrictions within the lease requiring consent to any alterations. It is always best to obtain these consents at the time of the alteration but if none were obtained then the freeholder/landlord will usually issue retrospective consent. It may also be possible to obtain a legal title indemnity policy to cover some situations where consent was not obtained.
There are also similar restrictions on some freehold properties. Any restrictions/covenants should have been pointed out to you at the time of your purchase.
Energy performance certificate
An EPC is required by law in the UK and provides information about the energy efficiency of the property. It rates the property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and includes recommendations for improving energy efficiency. This document must be provided to potential buyers at the earliest opportunity. The certificate is renewable every 10 years or where work is carried out under the Green Deal.
Missing documents?
Don’t panic – you may be able to obtain copies for a small cost, gain retrospective consent, or obtain indemnity insurance to allow the transaction to proceed. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the options.
Selling a house can be stressful but having your documents in order as early as possible and by instructing a conveyancer as soon as your property is put on the market will help the process run much smoother.
As always, it’s essential to consult with legal professionals to ensure you have all the required documents and your conveyancer will be able to help obtain and take your property sale through the necessary steps.
For further information about selling your house or other property-related matters, contact our residential property team on 0161 475 7676 or get in touch via our contact form.
Prove who you are
Providing your identification documents (ID) and instruction forms quickly will enable your solicitor to open a file for you and conduct their compliance checks.
For compliance purposes solicitors are required to run checks with third party agencies and verify your identity biometrically. They will also need evidence of your ownership, such as the title deeds or a mortgage statement.
Title deeds
The title deeds are perhaps the most critical documents when selling a property. These documents prove your ownership of the property and provide details about its boundaries, any rights of way, and other important information.
Your property will more than likely be registered with the Land Registry and your solicitor can obtain an electronic copy. However, if it’s unregistered, for instance if your property hasn’t changed hands since 1970s and is local to one of our offices, the original title deeds will be required. This is because the Land Registry phased in the registration process over several decades and for Cheshire, Manchester and Wales registration was not made compulsory until after the 1970s.
Information forms
These two forms are required in all transactions which your solicitor will use to create the contract for sale:
Property information form: This form provides important details about the property, including boundaries, alterations made to the property, flooding and service providers.
Fittings and contents form: This form lists all the items in the property that are included or excluded from the sale. This includes everything from kitchen appliances to light fixtures. It helps prevent disputes between buyer and seller about what is included in the sale.
In addition to the two standard forms if the property is a leasehold flat or house you will also be asked to complete a Leasehold Information Form which asks for landlord and management company details along with current charges for the property.
Property amendments documents
If you’ve made any alterations or extensions to the property, you’ll need to provide evidence that the work was done in compliance with building regulations and that planning permission was granted. This might include completion certificates, planning permissions, and any other relevant approvals.
If you do not have the original documents or did not obtain the necessary permissions for changes to your property, then let your conveyancer know early on in the process to discuss how this can be addressed with the buyers.
Any warranties or guarantees for work carried out on the property should be provided to the buyer. This could include guarantees for a new boiler, windows, doors, roofing, or any other major installations. These give the buyer peace of mind regarding the quality of the work and any potential future issues.
Professional organisations such as Gas Safe, FENSA, Certass and NICEIC have registers of installations completed by their members and you can obtain duplicate certificates if these have been lost.
Covenant consents
If your property is leasehold it is likely to have restrictions within the lease requiring consent to any alterations. It is always best to obtain these consents at the time of the alteration but if none were obtained then the freeholder/landlord will usually issue retrospective consent. It may also be possible to obtain a legal title indemnity policy to cover some situations where consent was not obtained.
There are also similar restrictions on some freehold properties. Any restrictions/covenants should have been pointed out to you at the time of your purchase.
Energy performance certificate
An EPC is required by law in the UK and provides information about the energy efficiency of the property. It rates the property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and includes recommendations for improving energy efficiency. This document must be provided to potential buyers at the earliest opportunity. The certificate is renewable every 10 years or where work is carried out under the Green Deal.
Missing documents?
Don’t panic – you may be able to obtain copies for a small cost, gain retrospective consent, or obtain indemnity insurance to allow the transaction to proceed. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the options.
Selling a house can be stressful but having your documents in order as early as possible and by instructing a conveyancer as soon as your property is put on the market will help the process run much smoother.
As always, it’s essential to consult with legal professionals to ensure you have all the required documents and your conveyancer will be able to help obtain and take your property sale through the necessary steps.
For further information about selling your house or other property-related matters, contact our residential property team on 0161 475 7676 or get in touch via our contact form.