What paperwork do I need to sell my house in the UK?

The good news? You don’t need to have everything sorted on day one. Most paperwork can be gathered gradually, and there are professionals, like estate agents and solicitors, who deal with this every day and can guide you through it.

This guide breaks down what paperwork you need to sell your house in the UK, explains what’s required versus what’s ‘good to have’, while sharing practical tips to help you stay organised without stress.

At-a-glance checklist: paperwork you’ll need before selling your home

If you want the quick version, here’s a simple checklist of the documents most sellers need:

• Proof of ID (passport or driving licence) 
• Proof of address 
• Title deeds or Land Registry documents 
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 
• Property Information Form (TA6- England and Wales) 
• Fittings and Contents Form (TA10- England and Wales) 
• Home report (Scotland) 
• Gas and Electrical Safety Certificate (if applicable) 
• Boiler service records 
• Windows and doors certificates (FENSA or CERTASS) 
• Guarantees and warranties for work done 
• Leasehold paperwork (if selling a flat or leasehold home)

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything to hand, we've noted above what is specific to Scotland or England and Wales plus we’ll explain what each item is, when you may need it, and how to get replacements if necessary.

Essential paperwork you’ll need to sell your house

1. Proof of identity

Before anything else, you’ll need to prove who you are. This is a legal requirement and part of anti-money laundering checks. Most sellers will be asked for:

• A valid passport or driving licence 
• Proof of address (such as a utility bill or bank statement)

Your estate agent and solicitor will both need to see these, so it’s worth locating them early to avoid delays later on.

2. Title deeds or Land Registry documents

These documents confirm that you legally own the property and have the right to sell it. Today, most properties in England and Wales are registered with HM Land Registry, meaning paper deeds aren’t always needed, as your solicitor can usually access the title register digitally.

If your property isn’t registered (which is more common with very old homes), your solicitor will help you locate or reconstruct the deeds. So even if you’re not sure what you have, don’t panic; this is a common issue.

3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An EPC is legally required before your home can be marketed for sale. It shows how energy efficient your property is, typical energy costs and recommendations to improve efficiency.

EPCs last 10 years, but if yours is no longer valid a qualified energy assessor can create a new one, or your estate agent may be able to organise this for you.

4. Property Information Form (TA6-England and Wales)

The TA6 form is one of the most important documents in the selling process. It covers practical details such as:

• Boundaries and disputes 
• Parking arrangements 
• Utilities and services 
• Alterations or building work 
• Flooding or environmental issues

While it can feel detailed, honesty is key. Being upfront helps avoid delays, renegotiations, or legal issues further down the line.

5. Fittings and Contents Form (TA10-England and Wales)

This clarifies what you’re taking with you, and what you’re leaving behind, from light fittings to garden features. Being clear from the outset helps manage buyer expectations and prevents disputes just before completion, when emotions (and stress levels) tend to run high. 

Certificates and safety checks you may need

Not all certificates are legally required, but many buyers and their solicitors will expect to see them. For example:

1. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

While not always mandatory for sellers, it’s often requested if your property has gas appliances and can reassure buyers that appliances are safe and well-maintained.

2. Electrical safety certificates

These are particularly relevant for older properties or homes that have had electrical work carried out. You may be asked for:

• An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), or 
• An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

If you don’t have one, your solicitor can advise whether it’s worth arranging an inspection before selling.

3. Boiler service records

These aren’t legally required, but they’re a great reassurance tool. Annual services help show your boilers in good condition, so if you have the paperwork, include them

4. Windows and doors certificates (FENSA or CERTASS)

If you’ve had replacement windows or doors installed since 2002, buyers’ solicitors will usually ask for:

• A FENSA or CERTASS certificate, or 
• Proof of building regulations approval

If certificates are missing, your solicitor may suggest an indemnity policy as a solution.

5. Roof, plumbing/drainage checks, and guarantees or warranties

If your property is older or has known issues, consider getting inspections before putting your home on the market. Having reports along with any guarantees or warranties for past work such as damp proofing, extensions, repairs, electrics, or plumbing can reassure buyers, prevent delays, and reduce the risk of renegotiations further down the line.

6. Home Report

A Home Report is a mandatory document for selling residential property in Scotland, designed to inform buyers about a property's condition and value. Sellers must provide this, usually arranged via an estate agent or chartered surveyor. 

Selling a leasehold or share of freehold property

Selling a flat or leasehold property usually involves additional paperwork, so it’s a good idea to prepare everything early to avoid delays once you’ve accepted an offer.

Leasehold paperwork you’ll need:

• A copy of the lease 
• Details of ground rent and service charges 
• Buildings insurance information 
• A management information pack (LPE1)

Share of freehold considerations:

• Company documents 
• Memorandum and articles of association 
• Details of how the freehold is managed

Having these documents ready in advance can help keep the sale moving smoothly and reduce the risk of last-minute hold-ups.

Who can help with the paperwork?

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. A good estate agent can help you get started by letting you know which documents you’ll need, arranging an EPC, setting buyer expectations and keeping things ticking along once you’ve accepted an offer. They’re often the easiest first person to speak to if you’re not sure what to do next.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will take care of the legal details, handling the paperwork, answering questions and working with the buyer’s solicitor right through to completion. They’ll also flag anything missing and explain your options, so you can move forward with confidence.

Typical costs to budget for when selling your home

While every home sale is a little different, it can be reassuring to have a rough idea of the costs you might need to plan for. The Advisory has broken down some of the more common expenses sellers come across in 2026, so there are no surprises along the way:

• EPC: typically £35 - £150 +VAT 
• Certificates or inspections: vary depending on what’s needed 
• Conveyancing fees: usually £500 - £1,000 (inc. VAT) 
• Estate agent fees: often 0.5% - 3% +VAT (of the sale price) 
• Removal costs: £250 - £4,000 +VAT (inc. VAT)

For context, The Advisory estimates that a fairly typical sale (a £225,000 freehold home with no mortgage in England or Wales in 2026) comes to around £4,621 in basic fees.

This doesn’t include additional costs that may apply depending on your situation, such as

• Mortgage exit fees (MEAF): typically £50-300 
• Early mortgage repayment charge: 1-5% loan amount is typical 
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT): varies from case to case 
• Home Report (Scotland): £100-£1,000 +VAT

Selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Yes, the list of paperwork can look daunting at first, but you don’t need to do everything immediately, and you don’t need to do it alone. By breaking tasks into smaller steps, gathering documents gradually, and leaning on professionals where needed, the process becomes far more manageable.

A little preparation now can help your sale run more smoothly later and get you one step closer to handing over the keys and moving on to what’s next