A Handy List for Homeowners: Essential Documents for Selling Your Home 🏡✍️
Among the top priorities for selling your home is ensuring you have all the necessary documents in place. This helps to negotiate a strong sale price and prevents any un-necessary delays.
Here's a basic list to make the process of preparing and cross refrencing your documents a little easier. 📂🔍
1. Identity Verification 🆔
A straightforward start! By law, to prevent money laundering, estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage lenders need to verify your identity. A passport or driving licence coupled with a recent utility bill or bank statement (no older than 3 months) should do the trick.
2. Land Registry Title Documents 🏠📜
This asserts your property ownership. Misplaced them? The Land Registry has your back for a small £3 fee.
However, if your property isn't registered (roughly 15% aren’t), you'll require specialist conveyancing assistance to undergo a “first registration”.
3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 💡
An existing EPC? Look it up on the government’s online EPC database, they are valid for 10 years so you may have one from purchasing the property. Otherwise, it's a legal requirement to obtain one before advertising your property.
TOP TIP: If you have had work done and improved the energy systems for the property by various things, even if you have a valid one in place. It may be worth getting a new one to show the work you have done to potential buyers and show the true energy rating of your home in all it's glory.
4. Leasehold Essentials 📔
For leasehold properties, ensure you have the lease details, especially the remaining years. Also, acquire the leasehold information pack from the freeholder or managing agent.
5. New Build Warranties 🏗️
For new builds or homes under 10 years old, you should provide the new home build certificate you was provided on purchasing.
6. Gas Safety Certification 🌡️
While not compulsory for selling, a Gas Safety certificate can offer potential buyers confidence in the property's safety standards, especially if you service your boiler on a regular basis or recently.
Landlords on the otherhand do need to provide this.
7. Electrical Checks ⚡️
Any post-2005 wiring changes? Secure a 'Part P Building Regulation Certificate'.
However, sellers aren't legally required to produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report unless there've been alterations.
8. Windows (FENSA or CERTASS) 🪟
Have you replaced any windows since moving in? A FENSA or CERTASS certificate proves they meet building regulations and should be provided to the conveyancers.
9. Planning Permissions & Building Regulation Certificates 📄🚧
Showcase approvals and permissions for any property modifications. Also, provide details about any non-compliant changes or ongoing alterations.
10. Guarantees & Warranties 📜🔧
From damp treatments to appliance warranties, collate any relevant guarantees. Consider what fixtures or appliances you might leave behind as it could influence your sale.
11. Additional Documents & Material Facts 📌
Disclose vital facts about your property – regular flooding, non-standard construction, etc. – as estate agents must inform potential buyers. Also, include any Party Wall Agreements, insurance policies, or restrictive covenants.
With your documents in order and a transparent approach, your home sale should proceed smoothly.