Documents Needed to Sell a Property in London

Selling a property involves more than finding an estate agent and agreeing on an asking price.

Before your property goes on the market, you may need to gather several documents and pieces of information. Having them ready early can make the selling process easier and help avoid unnecessary delays.

The exact documents you need can depend on the property and your circumstances. However, most London sellers should start by preparing their property information, checking their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and choosing an estate agent who can guide them through the marketing process.

In this guide, we explain some of the key documents and information you may need when selling a property in London.

What Documents Do You Need to Sell a Property?

There is no single list that applies to every property sale. Your solicitor or conveyancer will tell you exactly what is required for your particular property.

However, it is useful to start gathering information such as:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Property title information
• Property information forms
• Fittings and contents information
• Planning and building regulation documents
• Guarantees and certificates for improvements
• Leasehold documents, if applicable
• Details of service charges and ground rent
• Property plans and floor plans
• Information about recent works or alterations

Preparing these documents early can make it easier for your estate agent, solicitor and potential buyer to get the information they need.

1. Check Your Energy Performance Certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate, commonly known as an EPC, provides information about the energy efficiency of your property and gives it an energy rating from A to G.

If you are preparing to sell your property, check whether you already have a valid EPC before arranging a new assessment.

If you want to understand EPC requirements in more detail, read our EPC guides and property advice.

You can also learn exactly what an assessor checks during an EPC assessment in this useful guide from Urgent EPC.

If you need a new EPC, you can also check EPC Rate London’s current EPC pricing before booking.

2. Property Title Information

Your property title contains important information about the ownership of the property and the land associated with it.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will normally deal with the legal side of obtaining and checking title information.

You do not necessarily need to arrange everything yourself, but it is useful to know that title information forms an important part of the legal process when selling a property.

If you have documents relating to the purchase of your property, keeping them together can make it easier to respond to requests from your solicitor.

3. Property Information Forms

Your solicitor may ask you to complete property information forms.

These forms provide information about the property and can include questions about:

• Boundaries
• Parking
• Access
• Utilities
• Alterations
• Neighbours
• Disputes
• Planning matters
• Previous work carried out on the property

Answer these questions as accurately as possible.

If you are unsure about something, ask your solicitor rather than guessing. Providing incorrect information can create problems later in the sale process.

4. Planning Permission and Building Regulations Documents

If you have made changes to your property, you may have documents relating to planning permission or building regulations approval.

For example, these may be relevant if you have:

• Built an extension
• Converted a loft
• Changed the layout
• Added a conservatory
• Converted a garage
• Made structural alterations
• Installed certain new systems

Keep copies of relevant approvals, completion certificates and other paperwork.

If you no longer have the documents, speak to your solicitor or the relevant local authority about what information may be available.

5. Guarantees and Certificates for Improvements

Have you recently carried out work on your property?

If so, keep any relevant guarantees, warranties or certificates.

These might relate to:

• New windows
• A new boiler
• Roof work
• Damp treatment
• Electrical work
• Insulation
• Solar panels
• Other improvements

Buyers may ask questions about recent work, particularly when it involves a major improvement.

Having the paperwork available can make it easier to answer those questions.

For example, if you have recently installed insulation, new glazing or a heating system, keeping supporting information available can also help during an EPC assessment.

EPC Rate London’s guide to what an EPC assessment includes explains some of the property information an assessor may consider.

6. Leasehold Documents

If you are selling a leasehold flat or another leasehold property, you may need additional information.

This can include:

• The lease
• Ground rent information
• Service charge information
• Building insurance information
• Management company details
• Recent service charge statements
• Information about planned major works

Leasehold sales can sometimes take longer because additional information may be required.

If you own a leasehold property, it is worth speaking with your solicitor early so you understand what documents they will need.

7. Floor Plan and Property Marketing Information

Although a floor plan is not the same as a legal document, it can be an important part of preparing your property for marketing.

A clear floor plan helps buyers understand the layout and size of the property before arranging a viewing.

Your estate agent may also request other information for the property listing, such as:

• Number of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Property type
• Approximate size
• Key features
• Parking information
• Garden information
• Heating type
• Tenure

Professional photography and a clear floor plan can also help your property listing present the home properly online.

If you are still preparing your property for sale, visit Find My Estate Agent’s services to explore the types of property services that can support your preparation.

8. Prepare Information Before Choosing an Estate Agent

You do not need to have every document ready before speaking to an estate agent.

In fact, getting an estate agent involved early can help you understand what information and marketing materials you should prepare.

A good estate agent can help with areas such as:

• Property valuation
• Marketing
• Photography
• Property listings
• Viewings
• Offers
• Buyer communication

Before choosing an agent, it is worth comparing several local options rather than automatically selecting the first company you contact.

Find My Estate Agent can help property owners discover suitable estate agents based on their location and property requirements.

9. Keep Your Documents Organised

One simple way to make the selling process easier is to keep your property information together.

You could create a digital folder containing:

Property

• Property details
• Previous purchase documents
• Floor plans

EPC and energy

• Current EPC
• Boiler information
• Insulation documents
• Window certificates

Improvements

• Planning permissions
• Building regulation documents
• Guarantees
• Warranties
• Completion certificates

Leasehold

• Lease
• Service charge information
• Ground rent information
• Management company details

You can then provide the relevant documents to your solicitor or other professionals when requested.

Should You Get an EPC Before Choosing an Estate Agent?

You can speak to an estate agent before arranging your EPC.

However, checking your EPC early is sensible if you are preparing to sell.

If your existing certificate is still valid, you may not need to arrange another assessment. EPCs are generally valid for 10 years, so checking your existing certificate before paying for another assessment can be worthwhile.

If you need a new assessment, arranging it early can help keep your property preparation on track.

For London property owners, EPC Rate London’s 2026 EPC cost guide explains the factors that can affect the cost of an EPC assessment.

What Should You Do Before Putting Your Property on the Market?

Before your property is marketed, consider working through this simple checklist:

Property documents

• Check your property information
• Locate title-related documents
• Find planning and building regulation paperwork
• Gather guarantees and certificates

EPC

• Check whether you already have a valid EPC
• Arrange a new assessment if required
• Keep a copy of the certificate

Property presentation

• Declutter the rooms
• Complete obvious minor repairs
• Arrange professional photography
• Consider getting a professional floor plan

Estate agent

• Compare several local estate agents
• Ask about their valuation
• Check what marketing is included
• Understand their fees and contract
• Ask how they will communicate with you

Legal process

• Speak with a solicitor or conveyancer
• Complete requested property information
• Provide documents when requested
• Ask questions if you are unsure about anything

Make Your Property Sale Easier to Manage

Selling a property can feel complicated when you are dealing with documents, valuations, photography, EPC requirements and legal paperwork at the same time.

The best approach is to start preparing early.

Check your EPC, gather the documents you already have, prepare your property for marketing and compare estate agents before choosing who will represent your property.

If you need an EPC, EPC Rate London provides certified EPC assessments across London and publishes its current pricing and booking information online.

You can also learn more about what an EPC assessment checks before arranging your appointment.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to wait until an offer is made before preparing your documents.

Starting early can make the selling process smoother and help your estate agent and solicitor get the information they need.

Begin with the basics: check your EPC, gather documents relating to your property and any improvements, prepare your marketing information and compare local estate agents.

When you are ready to start, find an estate agent with Find My Estate Agent and begin preparing your property for the London market.