Understanding the TA6 form when selling your home
At Oakwood Homes, we want to help you delve into what exactly the TA6 form is, why it is important, how to navigate its sections, the common challenges faced, and the role of legal advice in completing it.
When it comes to selling your home, there are a lot of important documents and forms that need to be filled out and understood. One such form is the TA6 form, which plays a crucial role in the selling process.
What exactly is the TA6 form?
The TA6 form, formally recognised as the Property Information Form, is a pivotal document required from sellers when they decide to put their property up for sale. The TA6 form is produced by the Law Society and has recently been updated.
The latest version of the TA6 Property Information Form, in line with guidance from National Trading Standards on material information, has been published by the Law Society of England and Wales. It includes all the necessary information that the National Trading Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) requires estate agents to include in their property listings. NTSELAT recommends that sellers involve their solicitors earlier, potentially requiring completion of the TA6 form at an earlier stage to enhance marketing through comprehensive property information.
Why is the TA6 form important in selling your home?
The significance of the TA6 form in the home selling process cannot be understated. It serves as a critical tool for promoting transparency and honesty between the seller and the buyer. This form outlines extensive details about the property, including but not limited to any disputes, known defects, or alterations made and covers 14 separate subjects. This proactive disclosure helps in building trust, a key element in the buyer-seller relationship, and significantly contributes to a smoother exchange and completion process. Hence, the TA6 form is not just a mere formal requirement but a foundational element in paving the way for a successful and transparent property transaction.
Navigating the sections of the TA6 form
The TA6 form is intricately structured, containing several key sections, each dedicated to a different aspect of the property. The 14 sections are:
• Boundaries
• Disputes and complaints
• Notices and Proposals
• Alterations, planning and building control
• Guarantees and warranties
• Insurance
• Environmental matters
• Rights and informal arrangements
• Parking
• Other charges
• Occupiers
• Services
• Connection to utilities and services
• Transaction information
Updates to the TA6 form include:
• Property details: including the Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) and council tax band of the property.
• Tenure, ownership and charges: whether the property is freehold, leasehold, shared ownership, or commonhold; and details of the costs, such as ground rent and service charges.
• Parking: including the cost of parking permits and whether the property has electric vehicle (EV) charging.
• Building safety: providing details of any defects or hazards at the property and whether essential works have been recommended and carried out.
• Restrictive covenants that affect the use of the property.
• Flood risk and coastal erosion: to establish what the flood risk is for the area around the property, whether any defences have been installed and, if the property is near the coast, whether there is any known risk of coastal erosion.
• Accessibility: the adaptations or features that have been made to provide easier access to and within the property.
• Coalfield or mining area: identifying if the property is impacted by any past or present mining activity.
• Solar panels: providing details about the installation that a buyer/lender will need to know.
• Services connected: these now include air and ground heat pumps.
• Drainage and sewerage: additional questions about where the sewerage system discharges to and whether it has an infiltration system.
• Japanese knotweed: refinement of the question to incorporate the area adjacent to or abutting the property.
Common challenges and how to overcome them
Filling out the TA6 form can be a daunting task, particularly when it comes to recalling specific details about your property’s history and condition. One of the most frequent hurdles sellers encounter is the complexity of accurately documenting every required aspect. This challenge can be particularly frustrating for those who have lived in their home for many years and may not immediately remember every repair, modification, or incident that has occurred.
Engaging with previous occupants or neighbours may provide additional insights or reminders about past events or modifications to the property that you were not aware of or had forgotten. Don't hesitate to consult with professionals who have been involved with your property, such as builders, architects, or local authorities. Their records and memories can be invaluable in ensuring your TA6 form is as comprehensive and accurate as possible.
Swifter process
The Law Society President, Nick Emmerson stated, “The aim is that having better informed buyers could help reduce both the time the process takes and the number of sales that fall through.”
If you would like to know more about what is involved in selling your Thanet home, please call 01843 222701 or email client.services@oakwoodhomes.biz.