Checklist of Useful Documents for Home Sellers

Wishart Estate Agents are delighted to share this handy checklist with you! Having these documents ready can make your selling process smoother and help address any queries from potential buyers along the way. The more informed you are, the more prepared you’ll feel, which can help reduce stress during this transition.

While not all of these documents are legally required, having them at hand can make for a seamless transaction and boost buyer confidence.

ID

You’ll need to complete ID checks for your Estate Agent and Solicitors. Biometric checks are becoming more common and may incur a fee. Remember, it’s a legal requirement for both your estate agent and solicitors to receive your ID.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

This is a legal requirement that shows your property’s energy efficiency rating. At Wishart Estate Agents, we include this in our fee for our clients.

Material Information

As a homeowner, you and your estate agent have a legal obligation to disclose all material information about your property. Discovering important details after you’ve started a transaction can be quite distressing. You might find this guide from Trading Standards helpful: Material Information Guide for Sellers. We provide all our clients with a Property Information Questionnaire which integrates seamlessly with our property listings via our highly advanced software system.

Recent Boiler Certificate

This certificate shows that your boiler has been serviced and is in good working order, giving buyers peace of mind regarding heating and hot water systems.

Gas Safety Certificate

If your property has gas appliances, such as fires or hobs, you should provide a valid gas safety certificate to prove that everything has been checked and is safe.

Building Regulation Certificates (if applicable)

These certificates confirm that any work carried out on the property meets building regulations.

Planning Permission Documents (if applicable)

If you’ve made any extensions or modifications that required permission, you’ll need to provide these documents.

Guarantees and Warranties

Include any guarantees or warranties for work done on the property (like damp proofing or window installations) or for appliances.

Electrical Installation Certificate

This certificate indicates that the electrical system has been safely installed or upgraded.

Leasehold Information (if applicable)

If your property is leasehold, please provide the lease details, service charges, and ground rent information.

Title Deeds

These serve as proof of ownership. At Wishart Estate Agents, we acquire the title deeds and plans for each property directly from the Land Registry, and we can share this with clients who may not have their own copy to hand. If you’re selling on behalf of someone else, the agent will need to see a legal document giving you authority to manage the deceased's estate. If there are multiple executors, the appointed agent will require ID and signed terms from all parties.

Once you agree to a sale, your solicitor will send you a couple of important forms, so it’s worth considering these in advance:

• Fittings and Contents Form (TA10): This lists the items (like curtains and appliances) included in the sale.
• Property Information Form (TA6): This provides essential details about the property, including boundaries, services, and any disputes.

If you’d like to chat about this checklist or the documents mentioned, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team at 01904 404558. We’re always happy to help!