Filling in a Property Information Form

When you’re selling a property, your solicitor will give you a lengthy form to fill in giving 16 pages of details about your home.

It is tempting to race through the form, giving as little information as possible, but beware, failing to disclose something about your property could mean that you will face legal action.

The form will be part of the documentation passed to your buyers and they will rely on it in deciding whether to proceed with the purchase of your property.

Giving false information or providing only part of the truth will mean that they could potentially sue you under the Misrepresentation Act 1967. The burden would then be on you to prove that you did not mislead them.

What you will need to disclose

Form TA6, the Property Information form, contains 14 sections. The information you will need to provide includes the following:

•           Notices of development or planning affecting the neighbourhood

•           Boundary information such as who maintains it

•           Disputes with neighbours, to include not just those living next door

•           Details of alterations made to the property plus supporting documentation such as building works or electrical guarantees

•           Any unregistered rights over the property, such as rights of way

•           Building insurance details

•           Environmental information such as level of flooding risk

•           Parking information

•           Copies of all guarantees and warranties

•           Council Tax band

•           Details of replacement doors and windows plus FENSA documentation

•           Utility and sewerage information

•           Suggested timescale

If any information is unavailable, you may be asked to try and obtain copies. Failing this, the buyers’ solicitor may request that you buy an indemnity policy which would give cover in lieu of, for example, a missing guarantee or building regulations approval.

While a large amount of information is requested, there is usually a way round it if some is genuinely missing. It is important to be as open, honest and accurate as possible so that the buyers can make an informed decision when they purchase your property. This includes all knowledge that you have been made aware of, such as information provided to you at the time of your purchase.