What documents do you need to sell a house?

Selling a house comes with enough to think about without the nagging worry that a solicitor or buyer will ask for a document you’ve never heard of, halfway through the process. The good news is that the paperwork falls into a handful of clear categories, and once you know what’s needed, gathering it is straightforward. This guide covers every category you’re likely to be asked for, plus what changes if you’re selling for cash rather than through the open market. If speed matters more than the traditional route, it’s worth reading up on how to sell your house fast before you start pulling documents together.

What certificates do you need to sell a house?

Only one certificate on this list is a strict legal requirement. Everything else is commonly requested by solicitors and buyers, but won’t necessarily hold up a sale if it’s missing.

EPC (energy performance certificate)

You must have a valid EPC in place before you market your home. It’s a legal requirement, and it stays valid for 10 years from the date it was issued, so check the date on any existing certificate before assuming it will do.

Gas safety record

Not a legal requirement for a standard sale, but a gas safety record showing your boiler and gas appliances have been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer is often asked for as reassurance, especially if you’ve had recent work done.

Electrical safety certificate (part p)

If you’ve had notifiable electrical work carried out since January 2005, such as a rewire or a new consumer unit, buyers’ solicitors will typically want to see the certificate confirming it met Part P of the Building Regulations.

FENSA or CERTASS certificate

Any replacement windows or doors fitted since 2002 should come with a FENSA or CERTASS certificate, confirming the installation met building regulations without needing separate council sign-off.

If you can’t locate one of these, it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. Buyers’ solicitors will often accept indemnity insurance instead, but flagging the gap early avoids delays later.

What legal ownership documents do you need to sell a house?

Title register and title plan

Your solicitor will need proof that you own the property and have the right to sell it. For most homes, this means the title register and title plan held by HM Land Registry. If you don’t already have copies, they’re simple to obtain from the Land Registry for a small fee.

Proof of identity and address

You’ll also need to provide proof of identity and proof of address, usually a passport or driving licence alongside a recent utility bill or bank statement. This isn’t specific to your sale, it’s a standard anti-money laundering check that every solicitor and estate agent is legally required to carry out.

What property information forms do you need to sell a house?

Alongside the legal documents, you’ll complete a set of standard forms that give the buyer information about the property itself.

TA6 property information form

Covers boundaries, disputes, alterations, guarantees and any other matters affecting the property that a buyer would want to know about.

TA10 fittings and contents form

Sets out exactly what’s included in the sale and what isn’t, from white goods to light fittings and curtains.

TA7 leasehold information form

Only required if you’re selling a leasehold property, covering ground rent, service charges, remaining lease length and details of the freeholder or management company.

These forms are completed with your solicitor’s guidance, but the more accurately you fill them in upfront, the fewer follow-up questions you’ll face.

What financial and consent documents do you need to sell a house?

Mortgage redemption statement

Before your sale can complete, your solicitor will need a redemption statement from your mortgage lender confirming how much is left to pay off. This matters whatever your reason for selling, whether that’s moving up the ladder, selling before the end of your mortgage term, or needing to sell your house to pay off debt.

Planning permission and building regulations certificates

If you’ve extended, converted a loft, or made other structural changes, you’ll need the relevant planning permission and building regulations completion certificates, even if the work was completed many years ago.

Guarantees and warranties

If any work was covered by a guarantee, such as damp-proofing, double glazing or a remaining new-build warranty, gather that paperwork too. Buyers, and their mortgage lenders, want to see that any warranty transfers with the property.

What documents do you need to sell a house in a complex situation?

Grant of probate or letters of administration

If you’ve inherited the property, you’ll usually need a grant of probate (or letters of administration if there was no will) before the sale can legally proceed. It’s worth reading our dedicated guide on selling a house in probate if this applies to you.

Power of attorney

If you’re selling on behalf of someone else, perhaps a family member who can no longer manage their own affairs, you’ll need a registered power of attorney authorising you to act.

Selling during divorce or separation

Selling or dividing a house after divorce often means both parties need to consent to the sale, and any court order relating to the property will need to be shared with your solicitor.

Selling under repossession or bailiff action

If you’re facing repossession or dealing with bailiffs, timescales are usually tighter, so it’s worth getting your paperwork together as early as possible.

What documents do you need to sell a house for cash?

None of the legal requirements disappear just because you’re selling for cash. You’ll still need your EPC and proof of ownership, and any AML checks still apply. What does disappear is the chain: no waiting on a buyer further down the line, no estate agent pushing for viewings, and no sale falling through at the last minute because someone else’s move collapsed.

If that sounds like the more straightforward route for your situation, the next step is to get a no-obligation cash offer and see what a chain-free sale could look like for you. You can find out more about our team or read what other sellers have said about working with us.

Frequently asked questions about documents needed to sell a house

Do I need an EPC to sell my house?

Yes. An EPC is a legal requirement before you can market your property, and it remains valid for 10 years from its issue date.

What happens if i’ve lost my title deeds?

Most properties are registered with HM Land Registry, so your solicitor can obtain the title register and title plan directly for a small fee, without needing the original paper deeds.

Do I need planning permission documents for an old extension?

If the work required planning permission or building regulations approval, buyers’ solicitors will typically ask for the relevant certificates, even if the extension was completed many years ago.

What is a TA6 property information form?

It’s a standard form completed by the seller that discloses key information about the property, including boundaries, disputes, alterations and guarantees, so the buyer knows what they’re purchasing.

Do I need a gas safety certificate to sell my house?

Not as a legal requirement for a standard sale, but it’s commonly requested by buyers and solicitors as evidence that gas appliances are safe.