MAKE YOUR FREE Bill of sale

A bill of sale, also known as a sales receipt, is a written record of a transaction between a seller and a buyer, which transfers ownership of an item from one party to another. It includes important information about the purchase such as the names of the buyer and seller, a description of the item, item price and form of payment.

A bill of sale records the sale of personal goods (such as an aircraft, a boat, horses, pets, furniture, mobile phones or any other personal goods, eg bicycles and appliances) between you and a buyer. Anyone selling or buying a personal item without a warranty or guarantee can use this bill of sale. A bill of sale records the transfer of your goods to another person. The bill of sale expressly states that the goods are 'sold as seen' so there can be no argument over the condition of the property in the future. It also states the purchase price and a description of the items.

For use in England and Wales only.

Use this bill of sale:

• if you're selling personal goods to a private individual, including:
  • aircrafts
  • a boat
  • horses
  • pets
  • furniture
  • mobile phones, and
  • other personal goods, eg a bicycle, appliances
• if you're buying goods from a private individual
• to ensure that you have a record of the sale, along with the terms and conditions
• to help prevent or resolve any disputes which may arise in future regarding the sale

This bill of sale covers:

• the nature and description of goods being sold
• the agreed price
• the date of sale
• the identities of the buyer and seller
• the condition of goods

Whether you are a seller or a buyer, a bill of sale is a very useful document as it keeps a written record of the transaction and provides proof of the purchase. You can use a bill of sale for any personal goods that you wish to sell. For more information, read Bills of sale.

You should not use a bill of sale if:

• you wish to transfer ownership of property
• the transaction involves services instead of goods

Indicating in a bill of sale that the item is 'sold as seen' ensures that the seller is not liable for any flaws or damages related to the product. It protects the seller from any liability after purchase, for example, if the item does not work properly. 

For more information, read Bills of sale.

In the bill of sale, the seller confirms that they will provide the buyer with the item in accordance with the terms of sale. For more information, read Bills of sale.

The buyer agrees to pay the set price on the agreed date and acknowledges that the item is 'sold as seen', without any warranty from the seller. For more information, read Bills of sale.

Ask a Lawyer if:

• you want to sell your house or land
• you want to sell intellectual property (eg your designs, creations, a book etc)
• the sale involves a third party (eg you own the goods jointly with someone else)
• the transaction is very high value

This bill of sale is governed by the law of England and Wales.