Solicitor warns TA6 changes will slow conveyancing process

A new Property Information Form (TA6) being trialled by a working group of conveyancers will cause confusion and create delays, a solicitor has warned.

The new form is being designed to give buyers more information at the start of the process, with the aim of reducing the number of enquiries raised by the buyer’s conveyancing solicitors, cutting processing times and reducing the number of sales that fall through.

However, concerns have been raised surrounding the accuracy and consistency of information provided by sellers, especially if they struggle to understand and provide the detailed information needed.

Justine Simms, associate solicitor at Taylor Walton Solicitors, says this will result in buyers making more detailed enquiries with their conveyancing solicitor – creating further delays.

Simms explained:

“Some of the language is being updated to reflect efforts to write in plain English, so that it is simpler for sellers and buyers alike to understand. However, the current form is already 16 pages long and the new form is likely to be longer.

“My concern is that we already see some people struggle to complete the existing forms, especially the elderly and vulnerable individuals, and we are often asked to explain what the questions mean or have to chase sellers to complete the forms in full.”

When the new form is introduced, Simms believes conveyancing solicitors are likely to be involved much earlier in the process, working with the agent to gather the relevant information and ensure sales particulars are accurate.

She added:

“For sellers who are executors and selling a property as part of probate or acting on behalf of the owner as their attorney because the owner has lost capacity, then it may be more difficult for them to fill out the form quickly and accurately as the detailed information required may be harder to find or not known.”

Two weeks ago, the Law Society confirmed the new 20-page TA6 will include an updated information document to explain the questions in more detail for home movers.

Speaking at the Bold Legal Conference, the Law Society vice president Mark Evans explained the new form aligned more closely with the fourth edition in terms of content. He also confirmed  updated wording reflects efforts to write in plain English to simplify the form.

However, the material information form that was due to be published alongside the sixth edition of the TA6 has been paused following the May withdrawal of guidance previously published by the National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agents Team (NTSELAT).