What documents are required?

You will need to show your estate agent and solicitor a passport or driving licence and proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement. This is for anti-money laundering purposes.

If you do not have these, the solicitor you instructed when you bought your current property or your mortgage lender might. Your solicitor will also need to obtain official copies of your title deeds from the Land Registry.

This form clearly indicates what is included in the sale of the property. It’s broken down on a room by room basis, and includes items such as the fridge and shower curtain. If relevant, it also covers any items in outdoor areas, such as greenhouses, sheds, trees and washing lines. A sample of this form can be downloaded here.

As the seller, you will be required to complete this form. A sample of this form can be downloaded here. The questions included in the form relate to:

• Boundaries: this will include the position of the boundaries and who is responsible for the upkeep of a fence or hedge
• Disputes and complaints: this could include any ongoing disputes with neighbours
• Notices and proposals: this will include any letters from neighbours, or local authorities regarding proposed development in the vicinity
• Alterations, planning and building control: this will include any major building work that has been carried out on the property, such as an extension or new windows. It will also include the building’s listed status, if relevant
• Guarantees and warrantees: this may be for the building itself, if it is very new, or may be related to the new roof, for example
• Insurance: this will give the prospective buyer an understanding of how much it is likely to cost to insure the property and whether there are any anomalies
• Environmental matters: among other things this covers any flooding risks, the presence of Japanese knotweed and refers to the EPC
• Rights and informal arrangements: among other things, this may include shared access and chancel repair
• Parking: this will inform the prospective buyer as to whether there is off road parking, or a garage etc.
• Other charges: this might include lease expenses for leasehold properties, and maintenance costs for blocks of flats or gated communities
• Occupiers: this lets the prospective buyer know whether anyone is living in the property and will continue to do so after completion
• Services: this relates to the condition of the central heating and electrical wiring, among other things
• Connection to utilities and services: this section specifically refers to the suppliers of gas, electricity and water to the property and the location of the relevant meters
• Transaction information: this should include whether, as a seller, you are also looking to buy another property. It will also include any special requirements around moving dates

Such as a Building Regulations sign off or FENSA certificates for replacement windows. 

The Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) is a vital tool in helping you meet your legal obligations under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. This form will help you to disclose issues which if undisclosed, could lead to a delay in the transaction.

You can find out more information on the PIQ on propertymark website.

If the property is leasehold, a copy of the lease will be required. If the property retains a share of the freehold, the relevant documents will be required, such as the Share Certificate if there has been a company set up to manage the freehold. 

This is obtained either by the seller or by the seller’s solicitor from the freeholder or managing agent, if the property is leasehold. The pack can take several weeks to arrive so it is vital it is paid for (by the seller) and ordered as early as possible in the selling process.

An EPC needs to be included when a property is sold. These certificates assess the property’s energy use and CO2 impact. If you do not have an EPC, your estate agent should be able to recommend a qualified assessor.