What Documents Do Solicitors Need When Buying a House

The process of buying a house in the UK involves more than simply agreeing a price and signing a contract. Solicitors play a central role in ensuring that all the legal and financial requirements are met before the property changes hands. To do this, they need a range of documents from both the buyer and the seller. Understanding what these documents are and why they are needed helps buyers prepare properly and ensures the process runs more smoothly.

Proof of Identity and Address

The first set of documents solicitors require are proof of identity and proof of address. This is a legal requirement under anti money laundering regulations, designed to prevent fraud and ensure that the funds being used for the purchase are legitimate. Buyers are usually asked to provide a valid passport or driving licence, along with recent utility bills, bank statements or council tax bills showing their current address. Without these checks, the solicitor cannot proceed with the transaction.

Mortgage Offer or Proof of Funds

If the buyer is using a mortgage to purchase the property, the solicitor will need a copy of the formal mortgage offer from the lender. This sets out the terms of the loan and confirms that funding is in place. For cash buyers, solicitors will ask for proof of funds, usually in the form of bank statements, investment account statements or evidence of savings. These documents reassure all parties that the buyer has the financial means to complete the purchase.

Deposit Arrangements

Before exchange of contracts, the solicitor will need evidence of the deposit funds. Typically this is ten percent of the purchase price, although it can be more or less depending on what has been agreed. The buyer must transfer this money into the solicitor’s client account before exchange so that it can be sent to the seller’s solicitor as part of the binding agreement. The solicitor will provide details of when and how this payment should be made.

Documents from the Seller’s Solicitor

While the buyer provides identification and funding documents, much of the paperwork comes from the seller’s solicitor. This includes the draft contract, the title deeds, the property information form and the fittings and contents form. These documents set out exactly what is being sold, who owns it, whether there are any restrictions or disputes, and what items will remain in the property. The buyer’s solicitor will carefully review these documents and raise enquiries if anything is unclear or problematic.

Search Results and Reports

Another category of documents solicitors handle during a purchase are the results of property searches. These include local authority, environmental and water and drainage searches, and in some cases mining or flood reports. The solicitor orders these on behalf of the buyer and provides a summary once the results are received. Although the buyer does not need to supply these documents, they are essential for completing the legal checks before contracts are exchanged.

Conclusion

Solicitors need several key documents when buying a house, including proof of identity, proof of address, mortgage offers or proof of funds, and evidence of the deposit. They also review documents supplied by the seller, such as contracts, title deeds and property forms, and handle the results of searches. Having the right documents ready helps ensure that the purchase progresses efficiently and reduces the risk of delays.