Documents you need to sell a house

To sell a house in England or Wales you will usually need proof of identity, proof that you own the property (your HM Land Registry title), the Law Society’s property forms (TA6, TA10 and, for leasehold homes, TA7), an Energy Performance Certificate, and certificates for any building work; in Scotland, most sellers also need a Home Report. Leasehold homes need extra information from the landlord or managing agent.

None of this is unusual, but gathering it early is one of the few things that genuinely speeds up a sale. Which? notes that sorting your paperwork out early helps things move along more quickly, and it matters even more for a quick sale.

Proof of identity and anti-money laundering checks

GOV.UK explains that you will need to prove your identity and your address to your estate agent and the other professionals involved in your sale. This is not optional. Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, estate agents and independent legal professionals are among the businesses that must carry out checks on their customers.

Expect to be asked for photo identification and proof of your address, and have them ready for everyone named on the title. If you are selling as an executor or under a power of attorney, you will also need the document that gives you authority to sell. GOV.UK advises not to put a property on the market until probate has been granted, where it is needed. Our guide to selling an inherited house explains more.

Proof of ownership: your title

In England and Wales, most properties are registered at HM Land Registry. GOV.UK’s search service lets you see a free property summary and download the title register and title plan for £7 each. Your solicitor will obtain official copies as part of the sale.

Some homes have never been registered. GOV.UK notes that properties owned since before 1990 without a later mortgage may still be unregistered, and registration becomes compulsory when a property is sold. If that applies to you, find the original deeds and tell your solicitor early, because first registration adds work. Our guide to title problems covers what happens when the paperwork is incomplete.

The property forms: TA6, TA10 and TA7

Your solicitor will send you the Law Society’s transaction forms. They are not available to the public directly.

TA6 Property Information Form. You will need one for almost every sale. It covers boundaries, disputes, notices, alterations, guarantees, insurance, environmental matters, parking and services. The 6th edition must be used by Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme firms for new instructions from 30 March 2026.
TA10 Fittings and Contents Form. This records what is included in the price and what you are taking with you.
TA7 Leasehold Information Form. You complete this as well as the TA6 if any part of the property is held on a lease.

The Law Society’s guidance is direct. Buyers can rely on your answers, a buyer may be able to claim compensation if you give misleading information, and incomplete answers can delay the sale or cause the buyer to withdraw. If you do not know an answer, say so.

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The Energy Performance Certificate

GOV.UK says you must have an EPC when you are selling a property, you must order it before you market the property, and you can be fined if you do not get one when you need one. An EPC is valid for 10 years. MoneyHelper puts the typical cost at £60 to £120.

In Scotland, the EPC must be displayed somewhere in the property, such as the meter cupboard or next to the boiler. In Northern Ireland, nidirect says an EPC is needed whenever a property is marketed for sale, and not having one could lead to a penalty charge notice.

Leasehold homes: the management pack

If you own a leasehold flat or house, the buyer’s solicitor needs information that only the landlord or managing agent holds, such as service charges, ground rent, planned major works and building insurance. The Law Society’s guidance refers to forms known as LPE1 and LPE2 for these questions, which sit alongside your TA7 and a copy of your lease.

The timing is in the landlord’s or managing agent’s hands rather than yours, so ask what they will charge and how long they will take, and ask your solicitor to request the information as soon as you decide to sell.

Certificates for building work, windows, gas and electrics

GOV.UK warns that without building regulations approval you will not have the certificates of compliance you may need when you sell your home. Buyers’ solicitors will ask about:

Replacement windows and doors. Many installers self-certify through a competent person scheme. FENSA is one of the scheme operators for replacement windows and doors.
Boilers and gas appliances. Gas work is covered by the Gas Safe Register scheme. MoneyHelper also suggests keeping a record of boiler servicing.
Electrical work. Schemes such as NICEIC and NAPIT cover electrical installations.
Extensions and structural work. Building control completion certificates, and planning permission where it was needed.

The TA6 guidance lists competent person certificates, planning permissions and building control consents among the documents you may need. If any are missing, tell your solicitor.

What will you need in Scotland?

Most homes need a Home Report before they go on the market. It has three parts: a single survey and valuation, an energy report and a property questionnaire. Citizens Advice Scotland says it must be no more than 3 months old when the property is put on the market. mygov.scot says that if someone asks for the Home Report and you do not provide it within 9 days, the council’s trading standards service can fine you £500.

Some homes are exempt, including new homes sold off-plan or to the first occupier, newly converted homes not yet lived in, dual-use homes and seasonal holiday homes. Citizens Advice Scotland adds that you do not have to produce one if you sell to a private individual without putting the property on the market, but you would still need an EPC. Your solicitor will check your title deeds and carry out searches. Our guide to selling a house in Scotland covers the process.

What will you need in Northern Ireland?

The paperwork is similar to England’s, with the legal work done by a solicitor. Titles are held by Land and Property Services. nidirect explains that registered land is recorded in the Land Registry under a folio number, and that registration becomes compulsory when a property is sold, with some exceptions.

A quick checklist

Document	Where it comes from
Photo ID and proof of address	You
Title register and plan, or original deeds	HM Land Registry or your own records
TA6, TA10 and TA7	Your solicitor sends them; you complete them
EPC	An accredited assessor
Leasehold information	Your landlord or managing agent
Certificates, permissions and guarantees	Your records, installers or the council
Home Report (Scotland)	A chartered surveyor, plus your questionnaire

Getting these together before you accept an offer helps avoid the most common delays. Our guide to selling in 7 days explains why. When you are ready, you can get offers for my home from vetted cash buyers on our panel. It is free, with no obligation to accept.

Common questions

Do I need an EPC to sell to a cash buyer?

GOV.UK says you must have an Energy Performance Certificate when you are selling a property, and that you must order it before you market the property. An EPC is valid for 10 years, so check whether you already have one. Your solicitor can confirm what is needed for your sale.

What if I can't find my title deeds?

Most titles in England and Wales are now held electronically by HM Land Registry, and you can download a copy of the title register and title plan from GOV.UK. If your home has never been registered, your solicitor will need the original paper deeds, or will explain the options if they are lost.

What if I don't have a certificate for my windows, boiler or electrics?

Tell your solicitor as early as possible. The Law Society's guidance asks sellers to tell their solicitor if documents are lost or missing. The installer, or the competent person scheme they belonged to, may be able to help, and your solicitor will explain the options.

Who fills in the TA6 form?

The owner named on the HM Land Registry title, or a legal representative selling under a power of attorney, trust or grant of probate. All the sellers must prepare the answers and sign the form, and the Law Society warns that a buyer may be able to claim compensation if the answers are misleading.