Are you looking to sell or rent your home in the UK? Or are you looking to buy or rent? If so, you may be wondering what documents are required.
In this blog post, we will discuss seven of the most important documents you’ll need to sell or rent a property. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Property Title Deeds and Valuation
The first certification you’ll need is property title deeds. These documents show that the seller has legal ownership of the property. When you are purchasing a home, make sure to have your lawyer thoroughly review the property title deeds to ensure that there are no surprises or issues with ownership. These documents can also show any previous liens, restrictive covenants or encumbrances on the property, such a a right of way or prevention from certain activities on the land.
Additionally, while it’s not a legal requirement, if buying via a mortgage, the lender will almost certainly insist on a valuation report which is a basic survey of the property to highlight any issues before completion. However many buyers will also choose to pay extra for a more thorough survey completed by a qualified professional surveyor to check for any structural issues or potential problems with the property.
It’s usually worth paying extra for a full survey because property damage such as rising damp or nearby japanese knotweed can be costly to fix and not immediately visible to the buyer.
2. EICR Certificate
An EICR certificate is an electrical safety check that is carried out by a qualified electrician. This certificate is also sometimes referred to as a homebuyer’s report or an electrical installation condition report. The purpose of this certificate is to ensure that the electrical installation in a property meets the current standards.
This includes checking for things like damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, and dangerous earthing arrangements. An EICR certificate is a great way to get peace of mind when buying a property. If you are wondering about the EICR certificate cost, the costs will vary depending on the size of the property and the electrician you use. An EICR certificate is valid for up to five years from the date it is issued. After five years, another check should be carried out to ensure that the electrical installation still meets current standards.
When renting, it is a legal requirement for a rental property to hold a current EICR in line with current Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector.
3. Leasehold Information Form (TA7)
Some properties will not own the land they are based on, but will instead lease the land from the landowner. This is called a leasehold.
A leasehold information form is required by law when selling a leasehold property in England and Wales. It must be completed by the seller or their solicitor and provided to buyers before the exchange of contracts. The form includes important information about the property, such as details of any ground rent or service charges, rights and obligations of both parties, insurance arrangements, major works that have been carried out, and more.
4. Certification for safe use of gas and electricity
A gas safety certificate, or a Landlord’s Gas Safety Record, is required by law for any rental properties that have gas appliances. The certificate must be completed by a qualified and registered gas engineer who inspects all of the gas appliances on the property to ensure they are functioning properly and safely. This includes checking for things like carbon monoxide leaks and incorrect gas pressures.
Similarly, an electrical safety certificate, also known as a Periodic Inspection Report or Electrical Installation Condition Report, must be completed by a qualified electrician for any rental properties. This certificate ensures that the electrical installation in the property meets current standards and is safe for use.
5. Property Information Form (TA6)
In the UK, it is required for sellers to fill out a Property Information Form (TA form) before putting their property on the market. The TA forms provide potential buyers with important information about the property, such as any structural problems or disputes with neighbors.
Filling out a complete and accurate TA form is crucial for demonstrating transparency to potential buyers. It can also help avoid any disputes or misunderstandings during the buying process.
In addition to the TA form, sellers are also required to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP). The HIP includes documents such as title deeds, an energy performance certificate, and an index of all of the information included in the pack.
Even if it is not required in your country, providing potential buyers with a property information form can show that you are willing to be transparent about any issues or concerns related to the property.
6. Fittings and Content Form (TA10)
The Fittings and Content Form, also known as the TA-FC form or simply a TA-FC certificate, is required for properties in England that are being sold. This form includes information about any fixtures and fittings included with the property such as light fixtures, kitchen appliances, and built-in wardrobes. Having a TA-FC certificate can help avoid confusion and disputes about what exactly is included with the sale of a property.
For an additional fee, some surveyors can also carry out a property inventory check and provide a TA-FC certificate. This can be useful for both buyers and sellers as it provides an accurate record of the condition of any included fixtures and fittings. While a TA-FC certificate is not required for every property sale, it can provide added peace of mind for both parties.
Having a TA-FC certificate demonstrates that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure there is a clear understanding of what is included with the sale of your property. It also shows potential buyers that you are being transparent and thorough in the selling process.
7. Energy Performance Certification(EPC)
In the UK, a home needs an EPC when it is built, sold or rented.
In Scotland this goes a step further and the EPC must legally be displayed somewhere in homes, for example it could be in the meter cupboard or on a nearby wall.
An energy performance certificate is an assessment of how energy efficient a home is – rated from A-G, with homes rated A being the most efficient. A poor EPC rating indicates that a home is likely to cost more to run. Once issued, an EPC is valid for ten years.
Since April 2020, properties with a rating of E or lower cannot be rented out to tenants, so if your property rating is below this, you will want to upgrade the property’s energy efficiency standards to at least a ‘D’.
These are just some of the most important issues to consider when letting or selling a property in the UK. Whether letting or selling, it’s worth speaking to an Estate Agent for some informal advice on how to make your property stand out from the crowd.