Essential documents you need to sell your house

Why do you need certain documents to sell a property?

Selling a home is much more than a simple agreement between a seller and a buyer. It’s a process that involves procedures and specific documents to ensure the transaction is:

• Legal: The sale must be carried out within the current legal framework and comply with regulations. This guarantees both the seller and buyer that the transaction meets all legal requirements.

• Fiscal: Proper documentation ensures that all taxes and fees derived from the sale are correctly handled, and deadlines and legal obligations are met.

• Secure and transparent: Documentation helps avoid misunderstandings between the parties regarding price, timing, or responsibilities. It also guarantees full transparency, preventing surprises like outstanding debts or hidden charges.

• Free of violations: By complying with legal requirements, the process is protected against infractions or fines that could lead to costly penalties.

Having the support of a qualified real estate agent is essential to fully understand the process and carry out the transaction legally. Get in touch with our team and receive the guidance you need to meet all your fiscal responsibilities.

What documents do you need to sell a house in Spain?

To successfully complete the sale of your property, you’ll need several documents—some mandatory, others optional but recommended:

Simple Land Registry Extract (Nota Simple)

This document identifies the legal owner(s) of the property. It also outlines key features such as the built area and whether there are any outstanding debts or encumbrances on the property.

Title Deed (Escritura de la Propiedad)

The title deed is the public document that legally certifies who owns the property. It includes important details such as:

• When and where the property was purchased

• Key features of the home

• Any legal limitations or rights associated with the property

This document must be registered with the Land Registry Office (Registro de la Propiedad)corresponding to the property location’s.

Latest IBI Receipt

To sell your home, it is mandatory to present the latest receipt of the Property Tax (IBI – Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles). This document confirms that all municipal taxes have been paid up to date.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Since June 1st, 2013, Royal Decree 390/2021 has made this document mandatory when selling a property. It assesses the home’s energy efficiency and consumption.

The certificate must be issued by a qualified technician, who will classify the property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), based on its average monthly energy consumption.

Occupancy Certificate

The occupancy certificate (Cédula de habitabilidad) is required depending on the autonomous community where the property is located. It confirms that the property meets the minimum conditions for living, such as ventilation, natural light, and minimum surface area, as defined by local regulations.

You can request the occupancy certificate at the local housing office where the property is registered.

Certificate from the Homeowners' Association

If the property is an apartment, the building administrator must provide a certificate signed by the association president stating that all community fees are up to date and that there are no outstanding special assessments. This ensures that the new owner won’t inherit any unpaid community debts.

Utility Bills

The new owner will need the most recent water, electricity, and gas bills in order to transfer ownership of the utility contracts.

At Engel & Völkers, our real estate agents will make the sales process much smoother. We’ll guide you through each step and ensure you have all the documents needed to sell your property. If you want to enjoy the luxury of expert advice, contact our team.

Zero-Debt Certificate

If you’ve already paid off your mortgage but the lien has not yet been removed from the Land Registry, you’ll need to request a zero-debt certificate from your bank. This document is free of charge and typically issued on the spot.

Pending Debt Certificate

If you wish to sell your home but there is still an active mortgage, you will need to request a pending debt certificate from your bank. This document outlines the remaining balance of the loan that must be repaid.

Floor Plans

Although not mandatory, having your home’s floor plans can be very helpful when selling. They allow potential buyers to better understand the layout and size of the property.

At Engel & Völkers, we use innovative tools like Floorfy, which offers 360º virtual tours and detailed floor plans, so buyers can explore the property without the need for a personal visit. This technology significantly boosts the chances of a successful sale. If you want to benefit from the latest innovations in real estate, contact Engel & Völkers today.

What documents do you need to bring to the notary when selling your home?

Once you’ve found a buyer for your property, it’s time to formalize the transaction before a notary to ensure everything is legal and crystal clear. At that point, you’ll need the following documents:

• Original ID card (DNI), passport, or residence permit.

• Property title deed.

• Most recent IBI (property tax) receipt.

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

• Occupancy certificate (if required by your regional government).

• Certificate from the homeowners’ association.

• Earnest money agreement (arras contract).

• Certificate of mortgage clearance or outstanding balance.

• Utility bills (water, electricity, gas).

• Copies of any payments made by the buyer prior to the notary appointment (e.g., deposit).

Selling a house can be a tedious process if you’re unfamiliar with each step.Beyond gathering all the required documents, there’s also some groundwork involved — like analysing the market or setting the right price to secure the best deal and outcome.

At Engel & Völkers, we don’t just help you understand the real estate market or sell your home — we also offer a free property valuation.All you have to do is get in touch.

What formalities are required to complete the sale of a property?

Once you’ve signed the deposit agreement and, finally, the deed of sale, there are still a few formalities to complete in order to finalise and close the sale of your property.

Municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía) payment

This tax must be paid by the seller. It is calculated based on the cadastral value of the land and the amount of time that has passed between the purchase and sale of the property. Payment must be made within 30 working days following the sale.

Registration in the Land Registry

In order to officially and legally record the change of ownership, the buyer must register the property in the Land Registry. This process ensures there will be no future issues regarding ownership rights.

Notification to the homeowners' association

If the property is part of a residential building or community, it is necessary to inform the homeowners' association that ownership has changed. From that moment, the buyer will be responsible for paying future community fees and other associated costs, such as special assessments.

Utility cancellation or transfer

This process must be carried out by the buyer. The new owner is responsible for changing the name on the utility contracts—such as water, electricity, and gas—so they can take over the payments.

If the buyer does not wish to continue with the current utility providers, the seller must cancel the contracts under their name.

The key to speeding up the sale of your home

As you can see, having all the necessary documents ready is essential when selling a property. Without a doubt, having a qualified real estate agent to guide and advise you throughout the process makes all the difference.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a complicated task—streamline the process with the support of our team. Simply get in touch, and we’ll help you find the ideal buyer for your property.