What should I prepare before instructing an estate agent?

Introduction

This guide answers What should I prepare before instructing an estate agent for readers in England and Wales. It supports orientation and preparation. It is not a substitute for advice from your conveyancer, surveyor, mortgage broker, or insurer.

Seller discipline

What should I prepare before instructing an estate agent is easier when you work backwards from what a buyer’s solicitor will ask. Evidence beats optimism.

Forms and facts

Keep TA answers aligned with documents. Contradictions create enquiries and delay.

Using Property Passport UK alongside professionals

Search the address on [Property Passport UK](/search), keep notes with dates, and share Documents under permissions when that helps your Stakeholders.

What to check next

Use [Property Passport UK](/search) to anchor the property. [Claim your Property Passport](/claim/start) when you own or manage the home. Browse the [guides library](/guides) and [what is a Property Passport](/what-is-a-property-passport). Role pages: [estate agents](/for-agents), [housebuilders](/for-housebuilders), [conveyancers](/for-conveyancers), [surveyors](/for-surveyors).

How Property Passport UK helps

Property Passport UK combines official context with permissioned Documents and Stakeholder sharing. It supports information organisation, checks, provenance, and transaction preparation. It does not replace HM Land Registry, regulated professionals, or official search products.

Frequently asked questions

Is this legal, survey, or mortgage advice?

No. General UK property information only.

Can I rely on user-uploaded documents alone?

No. Verify where decisions depend on them.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice, not surveying advice, not mortgage advice.