If you are thinking about selling your home, instructing a solicitor early can help you get prepared before a buyer is found.

One of the important documents you will usually need to complete is the Property Information Form, commonly known as the TA6 form. It contains detailed questions about your property and provides information that a prospective buyer will rely upon when deciding whether to proceed with their purchase.

Getting your solicitor involved early means they can help you understand what is required, identify documents you may need and deal with potential issues before they cause unnecessary delays.

What is a TA6 Property Information Form?

The TA6 is a standard form completed by a seller as part of the conveyancing process. It asks for detailed information about the property you are selling, covering matters such as boundaries, disputes, alterations, planning, guarantees, insurance and other important details.

The information you provide needs to be accurate and complete. The buyer and their solicitor will use the form as part of their investigations into the property, so it is important to take care when completing it.

Why should I speak to a solicitor before completing my TA6 form?

Some questions on the TA6 form are straightforward, but others may be less clear or require you to provide additional information.

By instructing WBW early in the process, our Conveyancing team can help you understand what information is being requested and what supporting documentation may be required.

Getting advice at this stage can help you complete the form accurately and reduce the likelihood of issues arising later in the transaction.

Can a solicitor help me understand the questions on the TA6 form?

Yes. The form covers a wide range of subjects and some questions may involve unfamiliar legal terminology or matters you have not previously considered.

For example, you may be asked about property boundaries, planning permissions, building works, disputes with neighbours or rights affecting the property.

As part of your sale, your solicitor can explain what these questions mean and help you understand the information you need to provide.

What happens if I provide incorrect information on my TA6 form?

It is important that the information you provide is accurate and not misleading.

Providing incorrect information, or failing to disclose something relevant, could cause difficulties during the conveyancing process. In some circumstances, problems may also arise after the sale has completed if the buyer believes information provided about the property was inaccurate or misleading.

Having your solicitor involved from an early stage can help you understand your responsibilities and identify areas where additional information may be needed.

What documents might I need when completing my TA6 form?

Depending on your property and the answers you provide, you may need supporting paperwork such as planning permissions, building regulations documents, guarantees, warranties or certificates relating to work carried out at the property.

Finding these documents can sometimes take time, particularly if work was completed several years ago.

Instructing your solicitor before you have found a buyer gives you an opportunity to start gathering the necessary paperwork early. Your solicitor can also help identify what documents are likely to be relevant to your sale.

What if there is a difficult issue with my property?

Not every property sale is completely straightforward. You may have had a disagreement with a neighbour, carried out alterations to the property or have another issue that you are unsure how to address on the form.

It can be tempting to avoid mentioning something that could raise questions, but it is important to answer the TA6 accurately.

Your solicitor can advise you on how to deal with potentially difficult issues and what information should be provided as part of your sale.

Can completing the TA6 early help avoid delays?

Being prepared can certainly help make the early stages of your sale more straightforward.

Once you accept an offer, the buyer and their solicitor will want the legal process to begin. If your solicitor is already instructed and you have completed the necessary initial paperwork, they can be in a better position to get started.

Preparing your TA6 form and gathering supporting documents early can also help identify missing information or potential issues before they become a source of delay later in the transaction.

Should I instruct a solicitor before I have found a buyer?

You do not necessarily need to wait until you have accepted an offer before speaking to a solicitor.

Instructing WBW when you decide to put your property on the market means we can start helping you prepare for the legal side of your sale while you are looking for the right buyer.

By the time an offer is accepted, your solicitor can already be familiar with your property and have much of the initial information needed to progress your sale.

How can WBW help me get my property ‘sale ready’?

Our Conveyancing team can work with you from the early stages of your property sale, helping you complete the necessary forms, gather relevant documents and identify potential issues.

Taking these steps early can put you in a stronger position when a buyer comes along and means your solicitor is ready to begin progressing the transaction once an offer is accepted.

If you are thinking about selling your home, contact WBW Solicitors to speak to our Conveyancing team about getting your property sale ready.

WBW Solicitors has offices in Axminster, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Launceston, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Seaton, Sidmouth, and Torquay.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.