If you’re preparing to sell your home, understanding the legal documents and certificates required is essential. One of the most common questions we get at Belvoir is: “What certificates do I need to sell my house?” The answer can vary depending on your property type, but being fully prepared can help you avoid delays and streamline the entire process.
Here’s a straightforward guide to the certificates and documents you’ll likely need when selling a property in the UK.
If you’re thinking of selling, you can also book a free property valuation with Belvoir.
Essential documents to sell your house
Alongside completing the TA6 Property Information Form—a key document in the conveyancing process—you’ll need to provide various certificates and records to verify details about your home. These include:
Proof of identity
Required under anti-money laundering regulations. You’ll need a valid passport or driving licence, and proof of address such as a recent utility bill.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC is legally required before marketing your property. It rates the energy efficiency of your home and is valid for 10 years. If you’ve sold or let a property in the past decade, you may already have one.
Read more about common EPC recommendations in this guide from Belvoir.
Title deeds
These prove ownership of the property. If you don’t have physical copies, your solicitor or conveyancer can obtain them from the HM Land Registry.
Leasehold documents (if applicable)
If your property is leasehold, you’ll need to provide a copy of the lease and any relevant service charge or ground rent information.
Gas safety certificate
While not a legal requirement for sales, it’s highly recommended. This is especially important if you’ve had a new boiler installed or gas works completed.
Electrical safety certificates
Any electrical work completed since 2005 should be backed by a Part P certificate. It’s also advisable to include an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), even if not strictly required.
Building regulations certificates
These cover any extensions, conversions, or structural alterations and prove the work complies with UK regulations.
FENSA or CERTASS certificates
If you’ve replaced windows or doors, a FENSA or CERTASS certificate shows the work met current standards.
Listed building consent and conservation area permissions (if relevant)
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, any alterations must have the appropriate approvals in place.
Why having certificates ready matters
Gathering this documentation before you go to market helps to avoid delays later on, especially once a buyer is found and conveyancing is underway. It also increases transparency, which can build trust and prevent negotiations from stalling over missing information.
Can you sell a house without the title deeds?
Yes, you can sell a property even if you can’t find the physical title deeds—but the process may be more complex.
Understanding the difference between title and deeds
The title refers to your legal ownership of the property, while the deeds are physical documents that prove the transfer of that ownership. If your property was purchased after 1990, it’s almost certainly registered with HM Land Registry, and your solicitor can obtain a copy of the title register and title plan.
If your home was bought before 1990 and has never been registered, you may still be able to track down the deeds through your mortgage provider or the solicitor used at the time. If those avenues fail, your solicitor can help register the property, which will be necessary to proceed with a sale.
For a more detailed overview of the sales journey, take a look at our Seller’s Guide to Selling.
Get ready to sell with confidence
At Belvoir, we support you every step of the way, starting with expert advice on what you need to sell your home quickly and smoothly. By gathering the right certificates and documents early on, you’ll be better positioned for a seamless sale and a faster move.
Thinking of selling?Book your free property valuation with your local Belvoir office today.
