A new Property Information Form (TA6) being trialled by a working group of conveyancers will cause confusion and create delays, according to Justine Simms (pictured), Associate Solicitor at Taylor Walton Solicitors.

Her warning comes as the Law Society continues its extended testing period for the revised forms. The new form is 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.

Member revolt

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 2025, but the Law Society was pressured into delaying it while it put it through a consultation process.

Simms has told Today’s Conveyancer that the expanded form, though, presents several serious challenges, particularly around the accuracy and consistency of information provided by sellers who struggle to understand and provide the detailed information needed.

The current form is already 16 pages long, and the new form is likely to be longer.”

She explains: “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.”

Hard to find information

And she adds: “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.”

She explains that this complexity means conveyancers are likely to have to become involved much earlier in transactions, fundamentally changing the traditional sales process and potentially adding costs for sellers who require professional assistance to accurately complete the forms.

The Law Society, however, gave the latest version a more positive response, with Vice President Mark Evans declaring at the Bold Legal Conference that the new form aligned more closely with the fourth edition in terms of content, with updated wording reflecting plain English principles.

The sixth edition TA6 property form will become mandatory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme members from March 2026.

The material information form that was due to be published alongside the sixth edition has been paused following the withdrawal of guidance previously published by the National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agents Team.