Completing the TA6 Property Information Form as a Seller: Honest Answers and Common Traps
If you are selling a home in England or Wales, your solicitor will usually ask you to complete a Property Information Form, known as the TA6. It is a set of written answers about the property, and the buyer relies on them.
This Banke UK guide, written with overseas and non-resident sellers in mind, explains what the form covers, why accuracy matters, and how to answer when you do not know.
The Short Answer
The TA6 is your written statement about boundaries, disputes, alterations, services and more. Answer truthfully and from your own knowledge. If you do not know, say so rather than guessing. A wrong answer given to win a sale can lead to a claim after completion.
What the Form Covers
- Boundaries and who maintains them.
- Disputes with neighbours and any complaints.
- Notices that affect the property.
- Alterations, extensions and whether permissions were obtained.
- Guarantees, warranties and insurance claims.
- Services such as gas, electricity, water, drainage and broadband.
- Parking arrangements and rights of way.
- Environmental matters such as flooding and any history of damp or pests.
- Which fittings and contents are included in the sale, usually on a separate form.
Why Accuracy Matters
Your buyer's solicitor reads the form and raises follow-up questions. If an answer turns out to be wrong, the buyer may seek compensation or, in serious cases, argue misrepresentation. Disclosing a problem upfront is usually safer than having it surface in a survey.
Answering When You Do Not Know
- Say "not known" instead of "no". They mean different things.
- Do not guess from memory. Check your papers, or ask the previous agent, builder or neighbour.
- Ask your solicitor how to word an answer when the facts are unclear.
- For works done by earlier owners, say that you did not carry them out and give what documents you have.
Documents to Gather Before You Start
- Building regulations completion certificates and planning permissions for extensions.
- Gas, electrical and boiler certificates.
- Warranty or guarantee paperwork, for example for a new roof or windows.
- Details of any shared maintenance agreements.
- For a leasehold flat, the lease and the management information pack.
Selling From Abroad
If you live overseas, you may not know the current state of the property, especially if it has been let. Ask the managing agent for a recent inspection report and a list of repairs, and base your answers on them. Sign electronically only after you have read each page. Our guide to choosing a conveyancing solicitor from abroad applies to sellers too, and selling as a non-resident covers the tax reporting side.
Common Mistakes
- Rushing the form to meet an offer deadline.
- Answering "no" where the honest answer is "not known".
- Leaving out a neighbour dispute that has since settled.
- Forgetting that a tenant's complaints are part of the history.
- Failing to update answers if something changes before exchange.
Why Choose Banke UK?
Banke UK helps overseas owners and investors understand the process of buying, letting and selling in the UK, and what to ask professionals. We do not give legal advice. To discuss your plans, contact the Banke UK team.
Conclusion
The TA6 is simple to fill in and costly to get wrong. Gather the papers, answer honestly, say when you do not know, and let your solicitor guide the wording. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, fees and procedures change, so confirm current details with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before you commit money.