What to expect in the contract pack

Updated: 29th Jul, 2024

Author: Charlotte Burton

What to expect in the contract pack

There are lots of documents from the seller's "contract pack" to review with your conveyancer, summarised below. Your conveyancer will look for anything that is missing or unclear and ask the seller questions, referred to as “enquiries”. Your conveyancer may not talk you through the documents until they’ve had answers from all these enquiries.

Sometimes there are problems that are not resolved through enquiries. These “legal defects” are covered in the next task.

Contract pack documents

  • This is the initial version of the contract for the sale of the property. It outlines the terms of the sale, including the price, parties involved, and any other relevant details.
  • It's not a very exciting read, but if you want an example of what you might expect to see, you can read the standard conditions of sale at the Law Society's Website.
  • The completion date (when the property becomes yours) will not be agreed upon at this point. That happens later in the process and isn't finalised until signed contracts are exchanged.

  • Title register (or title deed if the property hasn’t been sold for a long time): the definitive legal record of who owns the property, its tenure (freehold or leasehold), mortgage details, and any rights, restrictions, covenants, or other interests affecting the property.
  • Title plan: shows the geographic boundaries of the property based on Ordnance Survey maps. It is not detailed enough to determine exact boundary lines but gives a general idea of the property layout.
  • Property Information Form (TA6): This form provides detailed information about the property, including boundaries, disputes, complaints, parking, notices, alterations, planning permissions, guarantees, and insurance.
  • Fittings and Contents Form (TA10): This form details what fixtures, fittings, and contents are included or excluded from the sale (e.g., carpets, curtains, appliances).

  • If the property is leasehold or share of freehold, additional documents will be included.
  • Leasehold documents: a copy of the lease, service charge accounts, building insurance details, and a fire risk assessment.
  • Management company information: including the memorandum (document with the company’s names & objectives) and articles (rules for how the company is run, and the rights & responsibilities of the members - often the leaseholders).
  • Leasehold property enquiries form (LPE1): contains all the information about the leasehold property.

  • Planning and Building Regulations Documents: Copies of any planning consents (planning permission) and building regulation/building control approval for alterations or extensions to the property.
  • Warranty Documents: If the property is relatively new, warranty documents such as NHBC (or similar) certificates might be included. You might also receive warranties or guarantees for electrical goods, fittings and fixtures, or building work undertaken.
  • Proof of installation: relevant documents may be included for proof of installation for things like windows & doors (FENSA or CERTASS certificates).

  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): This certificate provides information about the property's energy use and typical energy costs. It also includes recommendations on how to reduce energy use and save money.
  • Safety and compliance certificates: such as damp guarantees, electrical certificates (part P building regulation certificate for extended or altered wiring), new boiler installation information, and gas safety certificate.

This list is not exhaustive and in specific circumstances there may be other documents not included here.

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