Controversial TA6 form finally published after months of delay
Mark Evans of the Law Society says the new TA6 property information form, which replaces both the fourth and fifth editions, will become mandatory in March next year.
The latest version of the TA6 property information form has finally been issued after months of delay.
It replaces the controversial fifth edition that nearly sparked a member revolt amongst conveyancers who argued it exposed them to legal liability over ‘material information’.
It was originally due to become mandatory on 15 January, but the Law Society was pressured into delaying it while it carried out a consultation process.
Mandatory
The sixth edition of the TA6, which replaces the fourth edition as well, will become mandatory in March next year.
More than 1,200 solicitors, licensed conveyancers, estate agents and sellers provided feedback.
And a Law Society working group with expertise in residential conveyancing has been looking at the new form for almost a year.
The form was tested on sellers and conveyancers, the Law Society says, to make sure it is clear and logical.
The new sixth version is a simpler form with clearer explanatory notes.”
Mark Evans, President at the Law Society (main picture), says: “Our job is to ensure the transaction forms used in the home buying and selling process are not just accurate but practical.
“The new sixth version is a simpler form with clearer explanatory notes.”
Key changes in the new version include:
– Questions on material information that were added to the fifth edition to comply with guidance from the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, have been removed.
– The 15 sections are 10 fewer than the previous edition.
– More ‘not known’ options have been added.
– The explanatory notes have been rewritten to be clearer and more accessible, with better signposting and more useful examples.
A fifth edition of the TA7 leasehold information form is also being launched at the same time.
