Before you list or remortgage: check the basics
In the UK, conveyancers, lenders and estate agents will all ask for slightly different documents. Getting organised early can shave weeks off a sale or remortgage.
Key property documents to track
- Title register and title plan from HM Land Registry.
- Mortgage details – current lender, account number and latest statement.
- Redemption statement – a figure from your lender showing what it will cost to pay off the mortgage on a chosen date.
- Lease and ground rent/service‑charge accounts if leasehold.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – required to market a property in the UK, with limited exemptions.
- Planning permissions and building‑control certificates for major works.
Practical tools to keep everything straight
- Single “Property Pack” folder
Create a single folder called “123 Sample Road – Sale Pack” and keep all digital documents there. If you have multiple properties, give each its own pack.
- Simple spreadsheet for key dates
Add columns for: “Document”, “Who issued it”, “Date”, “Where stored”, “Expiry/next review date”. Use this to record EPC expiry, fixed‑rate end dates and service‑charge year‑ends.
- Use the Land Registry online services
In England and Wales you can download official copies of the title register and plan online. Save them as PDFs with clear filenames such as “2026‑03‑HM‑Land‑Registry‑Title‑Register”.
- Scan paper documents properly
Use a scanning app that produces a clear PDF rather than taking dark photos. Check that writing at the edges is not cut off – UK conveyancers reject illegible scans.
Things that often cause delay
- Missing completion certificates for loft conversions, extensions or window replacements.
- Unclear ground‑rent clauses in older leases that a buyer’s solicitor wants to review carefully.
- Historic disputes with managing agents or neighbours that appear in paperwork but have not been explained.
Who to speak to
This article cannot tell you whether you should sell, remortgage or stay put. A UK solicitor or licensed conveyancer can explain legal risks. A regulated mortgage adviser can discuss interest rates and affordability.