A mortgage lender will carry out a valuation of the property for lending security purposes only. They will not carry out a full survey.
It is standard practice for the buyer’s mortgage provider to organise a survey to be carried out on the property. A survey is an objective appraisal which highlights any defects, issues and associated repairs needed to put things right. Being proactive now and being aware of the condition of the property is important – not only for your own peace of mind, but also so you can make informed decisions on any actions that need taking.
We recommend that you enlist the services of a Property Surveyor to help you ascertain an accurate valuation of your property. Using a Property Surveyor will also help you when you go on to purchase another property, as it will help you avoid property underinsurance – which can be very costly.
Proof of ownership – title register and property deeds:
Before selling, your conveyancer will need to establish your ownership of the property. In England and Wales, the documents required depend on whether your property is registered with HM Land Registry.
If your property is registered:
Your conveyancer will usually obtain up-to-date official copies of the title register and title plan directly from HM Land Registry. You will not generally need to provide original title deeds to prove ownership.
If your property is unregistered:
Your conveyancer will need to examine the original title deeds and other relevant documents to establish ownership. Although compulsory registration on sale has applied throughout England and Wales since 1990, some properties remain unregistered.
Keep and share any historic documents:
If you have older deeds, including documents from before your property was registered, give these to your conveyancer. They may contain useful information about rights, restrictions or other matters affecting your property. Your conveyancer may also be able to obtain copies of documents held by HM Land Registry, for a fee.
Your next step: Ask your conveyancer to confirm whether your property is registered and which documents they need. If any deeds are missing, raise this early so they can advise you before it delays your sale.
Other documents required (your conveyancer will provide these during the conveyancing process):
- TA6 property information form – property details, boundary line, building work, parking, and maintenance fees
- TA7 leasehold information (if applicable)
- TA10 fittings and contents form
Familiarise yourself with the relevant property information questionnaire (PIQ). You can find these in The BTPA Blueprint section:
This is a vital form which helps you provide buyers with the information they need upfront, meet your legal obligations, and reduce the risk of a sale falling through when an issue comes to light later.
You will also need (your conveyancer will ask):
- Certificates, installation documents, guarantees and any planning permission documents (boiler, solar panels, electrical/gas, EPC, extensions, attics etc.)
- Leasehold or shared freehold information
- Mortgage offer details (if buying at the same time)
- Most recent bank statements (for the deposit)
- Proof of photo identification (passport, driving licence)
- Proof of address (most recent utility bill and council tax summary)
- A list of all the work you have had done on the property, from electrics to extensions
- Copies of any guarantees (timber and damp) and warranties
- Any paperwork relating to shared access to your property (garden or driveway)
- Any other details provided at the time of purchase
- A note of all the service providers for your home (gas, water, electricity, internet, telephone), including the local council or authority
Important to note:
Sellers often struggle to provide satisfactory documentation for their property, and this is one of the main reasons why the last part of the sale process gets held up – and buyers have been known to withdraw their offer.
Finding out where the holes are early on gives you, the seller, time to fill in the gaps for a seamless and quicker sales journey.
We invite you to consult our exclusive Property Professional Directory to identify a highly-rated Surveyor & Conveyancer.
