UMVA has learned that a significant number of home sales in the UK are collapsing due to missing or late paperwork, with nearly one in three agreed sales failing to complete in 2024.
The pressure to gather the right documents can be overwhelming, especially when solicitors request forms you've never heard of. However, having the necessary paperwork in order can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth sale.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the list of required documents is finite, and most of it can be sorted before your home even goes live. Independent chartered surveyors have produced a plain English guide to the paperwork needed to sell a house, which can help sellers prepare.
Every seller needs to provide identity and address documents, title deeds, a valid Energy Performance Certificate, and two standard property forms (TA6 and TA10). Leasehold homes require additional documents, including the lease and a freeholder's management pack.
An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, is a legal requirement and remains valid for ten years from the date it is issued. Sellers who leave it late often watch a transaction drift while a single certificate is tracked down.
Proof of identity and address comes first, with sellers needing to provide a current passport or photocard driving licence and a recent utility bill or bank statement. Title deeds are the legal records that prove ownership of the property and can be obtained from HM Land Registry or a conveyancer.
An EPC rates a home's energy efficiency using a scale from A to G and must be ordered before the property is advertised. The TA6 and TA10 forms disclose key facts about the property and list what is included in the sale, respectively.
Leasehold sellers have a heavier load, needing to provide the lease itself, a leasehold information form, and a management pack from the freeholder or managing agent. Certificates for building work, safety, and guarantees may also be required.
Starting early is key, as some documents can take weeks to arrive. By gathering the necessary paperwork before the home goes live, sellers can remove the most common cause of last-minute hold-ups and ensure a confident sale.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that delays in gathering documents can have a significant impact on the sale process, with buyers moving faster when everything is ready. Choosing a solicitor early and comparing conveyancing quotes can also help.
Frequently asked questions about selling a home, including the need for an EPC and what to do if title deeds are missing, can help sellers prepare for the process.
