What is a legal pack? A plain-English guide

What a legal pack is

A legal pack is a bundle of documents prepared by the seller's solicitor before a property goes to auction. It gives buyers the information they would normally only get weeks into a conveyancing process, so they can make a binding decision on auction day.

Because the buyer is committed as soon as they win, anything in the legal pack is treated as known. That's why reading it, ideally with a solicitor, is the single most important thing a bidder can do.

What's usually inside

• Title register and title plan from HM Land Registry, showing who owns the property and its boundaries.
• Searches, such as local authority, water and drainage, and environmental searches.
• Property information forms completed by the seller.
• Leasehold documents for flats: the lease, service charge and ground rent details.
• Tenancy agreements and rent details if the property is let.
• The contract and special conditions of sale.
• The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate).

Special conditions: read these twice

Special conditions are the lot-specific terms of the sale. This is where you'll find extra costs the buyer has to pay on top of the price, such as reimbursing the seller's search costs or legal fees, arrears, or a different completion period. They can add real money to the purchase, so factor them into your maximum bid.

What sellers need to do

If you're selling, your solicitor puts the pack together. You can speed it up by finding your deeds, any planning and building regulation documents, guarantees, and tenancy paperwork early. We help sellers coordinate this so the lot can be listed as soon as it's ready.

Common red flags for buyers

• Missing searches, or searches that are very old.
• A short lease on a flat, which can affect mortgage options.
• Unusual special conditions or high buyer's costs.
• Restrictive covenants or rights of way that affect your plans.
• Gaps in planning or building regulation approval for past works.

None of these automatically rule a property out. They should shape what you bid. For more on preparing to bid, read our first-time auction buyer's guide.