Commonly known as a survey, an up-to-date certificate of location is a vital legal document in the home-selling process. It must be forwarded to the lawyer or notary handling the sale in time for the closing.

Prepared by a qualified surveyor, the certificate of location specifies the exact size and location of your property, the size of the building and the type of structure. It notes conformity with local zoning regulations and by-laws, and includes drawings of exterior and (sometimes) interior ground plans.

The certificate of location must accurately reflect any structural changes made while you've owned the house including additions, garages, decks - even the relocation of a storage shed! Certain items falling under a predetermined height (landscaping, for instance) are exempted.

If no improvements have been made, the original survey generally remains in effect indefinitely. In some provinces, however, surveys must be updated routinely.

While it is usually the sellers responsibility to provide and up-to-date certificate of location, the cost of having a new one prepared (if necessary) becomes, in some jurisdictions, the buyer's financial obligation. It's wise to specify who will be responsible for assuming this cost in the offer to purchase.

Talk to your agent or contact your local real estate association to find out the laws in your province.