What Documents Do You Need to Sell a House in the UK?

Selling a house in the UK involves more paperwork than most people expect, and gaps in your documents are one of the most common reasons a sale slows down or falls through. Your conveyancer or solicitor will ask for a specific set of records early in the process, and having them ready before you list can save weeks. This guide walks through exactly what you will need, and why the buyer's side wants each one.

Proof of identity

Before anything else, your conveyancer must verify who you are under anti money laundering rules. You will normally need photographic identification such as a passport or driving licence, plus a recent proof of address like a utility bill or bank statement. Every legal owner named on the title has to be verified.

Proof of ownership: the title

You must be able to prove you own the property. For most homes this comes from the Land Registry, which holds the official register of title and the title plan. If your property has never been registered, you may still hold the original paper title deeds, and these become important evidence of ownership. Your conveyancer will obtain the official copies needed to draft the contract.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

You need a valid EPC to legally market your property for sale. An EPC lasts ten years, so check whether an existing one is still current before commissioning a new assessment. Buyers use it to understand running costs and energy efficiency.

The conveyancing property information forms

As the seller you complete a set of standard Law Society forms that give the buyer detailed information about the property. The main ones are:

TA6 Property Information Form: covers boundaries, disputes, alterations, guarantees, services, and other key facts about the home.
TA10 Fittings and Contents Form: sets out exactly what is included in the sale and what you are taking with you, room by room.
TA7 Leasehold Information Form: completed in addition to the TA6 when the property is leasehold, covering the lease and management arrangements.

Answer these accurately, because your buyer relies on them and inaccurate answers can create problems later.

Certificates for windows, extensions and building work

If you have carried out work on the home, the buyer's solicitor will want the paperwork that proves it was done properly and lawfully:

FENSA or CERTASS certificates: for replacement windows and external doors fitted since April 2002, confirming they meet building regulations.
Building regulations completion certificates: for extensions, loft or garage conversions, structural alterations and similar work.
Planning permission documents: where the work required consent, along with any conditions attached.
Party wall agreements: where work affected a shared wall or boundary with a neighbour.

Safety certificates, warranties and guarantees

Records that show the home has been maintained and that installations are safe are valuable to a buyer:

Gas safety records: service history and any certificates for gas appliances and the boiler.
Electrical safety certificates: such as an installation certificate for rewiring or a periodic inspection report.
Boiler and appliance warranties: plus service records showing the boiler has been maintained.
Transferable guarantees: for damp proofing, timber treatment, roofing or similar work, which can often be passed to the new owner.

Leasehold documents

If your property is leasehold, expect to provide more paperwork. This includes a copy of the lease itself, recent service charge and ground rent statements, and a management information pack from the freeholder or managing agent. Gathering these early matters, because the managing agent can take time to supply the pack.

Improvement invoices and receipts

Keep invoices and receipts for improvements, repairs and installations. They support the answers in your property information forms, prove that work was carried out by a competent trade, and reassure the buyer about the condition of the home.

Why each document matters to the buyer's solicitor

Document	Why the buyer's solicitor wants it
Land Registry title and title plan	To confirm you are the legal owner and to check boundaries and any rights or restrictions.
EPC	Legally required to market the home and shows the buyer its energy efficiency and running costs.
TA6 and TA10 forms	To learn key facts about the property and confirm exactly what is included in the sale.
TA7 leasehold form and lease	To understand the lease terms, charges and obligations that pass to the buyer.
FENSA or CERTASS certificates	To confirm replacement windows and doors comply with building regulations.
Building regulations completion certificates	To prove extensions and conversions were signed off as compliant.
Planning permission documents	To check that work needing consent was properly authorised.
Party wall agreements	To confirm shared boundary work was agreed with neighbours.
Gas and electrical safety certificates	To verify that installations in the home are safe.
Warranties and transferable guarantees	To pass ongoing protection for work and appliances to the new owner.
Improvement invoices	To back up the seller's answers and prove work was done to a good standard.

Pulling all of this together at the last minute is stressful, and missing documents are a frequent cause of delay. The sellers who complete quickly are almost always the ones who had their paperwork organised before the property went on the market.

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Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to sell my house in the UK?

You typically need proof of ownership from HM Land Registry (the title register and title plan), a valid Energy Performance Certificate, and completed Law Society property forms such as the TA6 property information form and TA10 fittings and contents form. For leasehold you also complete a TA7 and provide a leasehold pack. Keep any guarantees, planning permissions and building regulation certificates ready, as your buyer's solicitor will ask for them.

Do I need FENSA or building regulation certificates to sell?

If you have replaced windows or external doors since around 2002, buyers usually expect a FENSA certificate or equivalent competent person confirmation. For structural changes, extensions or major work, buyers will want building regulation completion certificates and any planning permission. If a document is missing, your solicitor can discuss options such as indemnity insurance. Gather these early, as missing paperwork is a common cause of delay.

What is the difference between the TA6, TA10 and TA7 forms?

These are standard Law Society forms used in England and Wales conveyancing. The TA6 property information form covers details like boundaries, disputes, alterations and services. The TA10 fittings and contents form lists what is included or excluded from the sale. The TA7 leasehold information form is completed additionally when the property is leasehold. Your conveyancer supplies and reviews these, and accuracy matters because buyers rely on your answers.