Most delays between offer and exchange come from paperwork that could have been found weeks earlier. Gathering it before you list is the cheapest thing a seller can do to protect a sale.
selling
The documents to get together before you list your home
Most delays between offer and exchange come from paperwork that could have been found weeks earlier.
- 2 min read
- Updated 21 September 2026
Part 1 of 3
What to have ready
| Document | Why it is needed | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate | Legally required before marketing; valid ten years | GOV.UK register, or a new assessment |
| Title documents | Confirms ownership, tenure and what burdens the property | HM Land Registry (£7 to download) |
| Planning permissions and building regulation certificates | For any extension, loft conversion or structural change | Council records, or your own file |
| Guarantees and warranties | Damp, timber, roofing, windows, new-build warranty | Your own records; the installer |
| Gas and electrical certificates | Boiler service history, electrical installation reports | Your engineer or electrician |
| Lease and service charge information (flats) | Lease length, ground rent, service charge accounts, major works | Freeholder or managing agent |
| Proof of identity | Anti-money-laundering checks by agent and conveyancer | Passport, driving licence, utility bills |
Leasehold information is the single most common cause of delay. Managing agents can take weeks to produce a pack, and requesting it the day you accept an offer can add a month to the transaction.
If a permission or certificate genuinely cannot be found, say so early. Indemnity insurance is often cheap and quick, but only if the problem surfaces before the buyer's solicitor finds it.
Part 2 of 3