AI and in particular AI generated enquiries is really starting to both me. I know I wrote about AI last last week… but bear with me.
I had always thought that the TA6 form comprises standard information needed when selling a property, and I always tell my clients that the form has been drafted on the basis that it covers a terraced house and a mansion. The questions in the form are relevant to most properties and need to be answered. It is just what then follows after the form has been completed and sent to the buyer’s solicitor that will differ.
I expect it was never envisaged the form would be run through AI by a client and that I would then receive pages of enquiries. So here is an example of the types of questions I am now being asked
The seller has not specified which boundaries belong to the property – the property in question is a flat
The seller has stated no works have been done but that has not clarified which works have not been done
The seller has stated ‘no’ to the question regarding claims on buildings insurance policies, please ask them to express this more clearly
Please provide a plan showing rights of access – there are none
The form does not clearly confirm whether the boiler and heating service are working, please confirm this expressly and disclose any faults, leaks, recurring breakdowns or recommendation for repairs or replacements
And how about this one? (which in my view is a clear give away that a person has not looked at the form) and answers some of those above!
The form has several handwritten fields that are difficult to read
And then repeats all of the questions where AI cannot read the answers! This is because the seller has handwritten the answers and I can read those answers and would expect the buyer’s conveyancer to be able to read and interpret them. It is a pointless and irritating enquiry and it does frustrate me!
I accept AI is going to have a place in conveyancing; a well tutored machine can read a lease far quicker than I can but it does not have the forty years’ experience of reading a lease. This is what clients need to know. I suspect, like me, you are finding clients are increasingly putting their report on title through AI and asking unnecessary questions. It is time consuming and costly, and leaves me wondering whether I need to increase my fees again just in case I get AI enquiries and then reduce the fee on completion if there are none.
Any thoughts?
This column is written by a real high street conveyancer who wishes to remain anonymous. The views expressed are those of the author and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
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