What Is a Contract Pack When Selling a House? | Laurus Property Law Unpacked

Property Law Unpacked is our practical guide to buying and selling property in the UK. Each article takes a real question or scenario faced by buyers and sellers and explains the legal process in plain English, with insights from our experienced property lawyers. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or preparing to sell, this series gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate your move.

In this edition we demystify the contract pack. What it is, why it matters and how preparing it properly can keep your sale running smoothly from offer to completion.

The importance of early preparation

When you decide to sell your property, one of the first legal steps your solicitor will take is preparing the contract pack. This is the bundle of legal documents that forms the backbone of the transaction. It’s what the buyer’s solicitor uses to carry out checks, raise enquiries, and ultimately advise on whether to proceed on the terms agreed.

At Laurus, we encourage our clients to take a proactive approach long before the sale reaches that stage. Getting organised early, ideally before the property even goes on the market, or while it’s on, makes a significant difference to the speed and success of a sale.

That’s why we advocate becoming Sale Ready: completing all key forms, locating guarantees, planning permissions and certificates and addressing potential issues before an offer is even received. When the groundwork is done early, your solicitor can issue a complete, professional contract pack the moment a buyer is found.

What is a contract pack?

The contract pack is prepared by the seller’s solicitor and typically includes:

A draft contract for sale
Official copy of the title register and title plan from HM Land Registry
Copies of any relevant deeds or documents (such as leases, restrictions, or rights of way)
Completed Property Information Form (TA6)
Fittings and Contents Form (TA10)
For leasehold properties: the Leasehold Information Form (TA7) and a copy of the lease

If any building works have been carried out, evidence such as planning permissions, building regulation approvals, or compliance certificates (for example, FENSA certificates for replacement windows) should also be included.

Getting all of this in order before the property is listed means your solicitor can immediately respond when an offer is agreed, instead of starting the process from scratch once the sale is underway.

Why being prepared matters

A comprehensive and well-prepared contract pack allows the buyer’s solicitor to:

Understand the property’s legal status and boundaries
Confirm there are no missing rights, restrictions or hidden issues
Check that permissions or consents were correctly obtained for any works
Raise all necessary enquiries early, avoiding last-minute complications
Satisfy any conditions set by the buyer’s mortgage lender

When these documents are ready in advance, the buyer’s solicitor can begin their review straight away, giving the transaction momentum from day one. By contrast, when the pack is incomplete or delayed, progress grinds to a halt and confidence can be lost quickly.

The risks of leaving it late

When sellers wait until after receiving an offer to start compiling their contract pack, delays are almost inevitable. Common outcomes include:

Endless follow-up questions from the buyer’s solicitor
Delays while the seller searches for paperwork
Nervous buyers pulling out of the deal
Price renegotiations if confidence dips

These setbacks are frustrating and entirely preventable. By getting Sale Ready before marketing begins, you remove these avoidable obstacles and ensure your sale moves forward smoothly once a buyer is found.

How Laurus helps you get Sale Ready

When you instruct us, we don’t wait until you have an offer in hand. We begin preparing immediately so everything is ready to go the moment your agent confirms interest. We:

Review your title early to identify and resolve potential issues
Guide you through completing all property forms thoroughly
Help you locate and organise supporting documents and certificates
Contact management companies or freeholders (for leaseholds) promptly
Prepare a clear, structured and comprehensive pack ready to send as soon as an offer is accepted
Place ourselves in the buyer’s solicitor’s shoes using the information you provide to anticipate the questions they’re likely to raise and preparing answers to those enquiries in advance

This approach means there’s no last-minute rush or uncertainty. Instead, you enter negotiations well-prepared, with the legal groundwork already in place, giving your buyer confidence and helping the deal progress quickly.

Leasehold properties: even more reason to plan ahead

Leasehold properties come with an extra layer of paperwork, making early preparation even more valuable. In addition to the standard documents, you’ll need:

The lease (and any variations)
Ground rent and service charge accounts
Building insurance details
A management pack from the freeholder or managing agent

These are often requested from third parties and can take several weeks to obtain, so requesting them before the sale is agreed can avoid unnecessary delay once a buyer is found.