When it comes to buying or selling property, navigating all of the necessary paperwork can often feel like wading through a sea of jargon and legalities.
Among the numerous forms involved when you buy or sell a home is the TA6 Form. Also referred to as the Property Information Form, the TA6 is a standardised document used in residential property transactions across England and Wales and its primary purpose is to provide potential buyers with comprehensive information about the property they are interested in purchasing. From details about the property’s boundaries to any ongoing neighbour disputes or alterations to the property, the TA6 Form serves as a vital resource for buyers to make an informed decision about their property purchase.
With that in mind, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below in an attempt to demystify this sometimes confusing step in the property purchase process.
When is a TA6 form required?
The TA6 form typically comes into play once an offer has been accepted on a property. At this stage, the seller is required to complete the form accurately and thoroughly to disclose all relevant information to the buyer. This ensures transparency in the transaction and helps prevent any potential delays or disputes arising from undisclosed issues at a later date.
As the seller, if you are unsure about the information you should be including in the TA6 form (more on that below!), always speak to your conveyancer for advice.
What information does the TA6 include?
The TA6 form covers a wide range of topics related to the property, including its physical attributes, legal status, and any potential liabilities. This differs from the TA10 Fittings & Contents Form, which notes the fixtures and fittings and any additional assets in the property (such as furniture) which are due to be included in the property sale.
Some of the key areas covered in the TA6 form include:
- Property boundaries: Detailed information about the boundaries of the property, including any shared boundaries or party wall agreements with neighbouring properties.
- Planning and building regulations: Disclosure of any past or ongoing planning permissions, building works, or alterations carried out on the property.
- Disputes and complaints: Any disputes or complaints relating to the property, such as boundary disputes or noise complaints, must be disclosed in the form.
- Services and utilities: Information about the availability and location of essential services and utilities, such as water, gas, electricity, and drainage.
- Environmental matters: Disclosure of any environmental issues affecting the property, such as flooding or contamination.
Updates to the current TA6 form
In March 2024, updates were made to the TA6 form and guidance to comply with National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) guidelines. As of 25 June 2024, only this updated form which now includes requests for the following information should be used.
- The unique property reference number (UPRN) and council tax band.
- Details of tenure, ownership and charges e.g. freehold, leasehold, shared ownership or commonhold arrangements and fees.
- Parking arrangements such as parking permits (and their fees) and electric vehicle (EV) charging provision.
- Building safety compliance, with information on essential works completed or needed and any defects or hazards.
- Details of any restrictive covenants affecting property use.
- Details on flood risk and coastal erosion.
- Accessibility and any adaptations.
- The past or present impact of any coalfield or mining activity.
- Installation and maintenance of solar panels.
- Information on air and ground heat pumps, if necessary, under connected services information.
- Information on where drainage and sewerage is discharged and whether there is an infiltration system.
- More detailed disclosure on Japanese knotweed, which includes the area adjacent to or bordering the property in question.
Is the TA6 form legally binding?
The TA6 form serves as an important source of information for buyers, and whilst it is not a legally binding document in itself, it becomes legally binding through the Contract of Sale.
Although the seller is not obliged to answer the questions in the TA6 form, it can speed up the transaction process by avoiding a lot of back and forth correspondence between conveyancers for the buyer and seller. If you do provide information for the buyer via the TA6 form, you must ensure that it is correct to the best of your knowledge. If you knowingly withhold or provide false information, the buyer is entitled to pull out of the purchase and/or make a misrepresentation claim against you, either during the sale process, or in the future.
As such, the TA6 Form plays a pivotal role in property transactions, and by completing it accurately and honestly, sellers contribute to a transparent and smooth transaction process, ultimately benefiting all parties involved.
