When selling your house, you need to find an estate agent, decide on a sale price, organise viewings, and do a lot of paperwork. This list will help you make sure you have everything you need to avoid delays later on.
Before you can find a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal aspects of your sale, you will need to complete a Property Information Form (TA6) and a TA7 form if you are selling a leasehold property. The TA6 guide will take you through the TA7 form step by step.
However, you will need to gather the following information before filling it in: A good estate agent will ask you for similar information before you market the property via their Property Information Questionnaire or Buyer and Seller's Form.
In other words, unless you are confident in your ability, it is best to have a professional conveyancer handle the transfer of ownership for your property to avoid legal issues. So, get back to when you first bought your home and remember all the files and emails involved in the transaction.
Here are the documents you should look for:
1. Land Registry Title Documents
The title deeds to your property show that you are the home's legal owner. When you first purchase the property, these documents are usually sent to you by your solicitor. If you can't find them, you can try checking with your mortgage company to see if they have them on file or if they are with your solicitor.
The UK government decided all property should be registered with the Land Registry in the 1980s. If someone cannot find their title deeds, they can check with the Land Registry and request a copy for a small fee.
If the property you own is not registered with HM Land Registry, you will need to take additional steps to prove that you are the legal owner. One of the first things you should do is apply for first registration. You will likely need professional help to do this, so reach out to a conveyancing solicitor who can assist you with putting together your application.
2. Proof of Identity
When you buy a house, the people handling your paperwork must verify your identity to ensure you're not laundering money. You'll need to give them a passport or driver's license and a document with your address, like a driver's license, bank statement, or utility bill that's no more than three months old.
3. Leasehold Documents
This means you must determine how many years are left on the lease, the current ground rent and service charges, and planned increases.
If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender may not approve the loan if the remaining lease is too short. Most lenders will only approve a mortgage if the lease has at least 80 years remaining. Getting a mortgage may still be possible if your lease is shorter than this, but it may be more difficult.
One option you may have is to extend your lease, which will require working with your landlord. Another option is to start buying the freehold of your property, which will give you more control over the property and make it easier to sell in the future.
Your solicitor will need to obtain the leasehold information pack from the freeholder or managing agent of the property. This process can take some time, so it's important not to delay.
4. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
If you think you should have an EPC but can't find one on the database, you can contact the assessor who carried out the original assessment. They should be able to tell you whether an EPC was produced and if so, provide you with a copy.
If the home you sell does not have an Energy Performance Certificate, you are required by law to get one before you can market the property. You can easily arrange for an EPC with a local, accredited energy assessor.
5. Gas Safety Certificate
Your gas safety certificate must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and is valid for 12 months. You must keep a copy of this certificate as you are responsible for ensuring that the gas appliances on your property are safe to use.
A gas safety certificate is an important document that shows your boiler has been checked and is safe. Although you are not legally required to have a gas safety certificate when selling your home, it is highly recommended for your safety.
Having a gas safety certificate will give prospective buyers peace of mind, knowing that the boiler has been regularly serviced and is in good working condition. You must have a gas safety certificate under one-year-old if you are a landlord.
6. Planning Permission and Building Regulation Certificates
If you have made any changes to the property, you will need to provide evidence that you had the proper permissions from the local authorities. This could include copies of planning permissions, Building Regulations approvals, and completion certificates. The seller should provide details if any work was done without the proper approvals. There should also be information about any unfinished building or alteration work.
If you own a listed building or live in a conservation area, you need to get consent from the local authority for any changes you want to make to the property, inside or out. This includes painting the outside of the building or knocking down internal walls.
7. Guarantees and Other Warranties
Your house will never be perfect, so don't try acting like it. If something is wrong with your home and you have taken steps to fix it, this will show that you are a responsible homeowner. So, if there is a problem with damp or Japanese knotweed, ensure you have copies of receipts or guarantees for any work done.
In other words, if there are any items in your home that you don't want to take with you when you move, you can either sell them as part of the home or offer them to the buyer for an additional fee. It's a good idea to start thinking about this stuff now so the sale can go more smoothly later.
Conclusion
There are a few key documents you will need when selling your house. These include your mortgage statement, home insurance policy, title documents, and a recent utility bill. You will also need to provide potential buyers with a disclosure statement that outlines any known defects or problems with the property. By being prepared with these documents, you can make the selling process much smoother.
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