If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in England and Wales, you may come across a set of documents known as the “TA” forms. These are standard conveyancing forms developed by the Law Society of England and Wales.
In particular, the updated versions of the key forms – the TA6 (Property Information) and TA7 (Leasehold Property Information) – aim to simplify things for sellers and make the process clearer for buyers. In this blog, we’ll explain what has changed, why it matters and what you should watch out for.
What are the TA forms?
The TA forms are standard questionnaires used during a property sale:
- The TA6 form is used when a seller gives information about a freehold or long leasehold residential property.
- The TA7 form is used when the property is leasehold and covers specific leasehold issues.
They are not optional in practice – solicitors and conveyancers routinely use them as part of the conveyancing process.
What are the changes in the new editions?
Key differences
Here are some of the main changes in the latest edition of the TA6 form (6th edition) and the matching TA7:
➡️ The new TA6 is reduced to 15 sections, which is 10 fewer than the previous edition.
➡️ Some sections that sellers found confusing or hard to answer have been removed.
➡️ These include questions on: council tax, asking price, tenure/ownership/charges, physical characteristics of the property, building safety, restrictive covenants, coastal erosion, accessibility and coalfield/mining area.
➡️ More questions now include a “not known” response, rather than forcing a “yes” or “no”. This reflects the reality that many sellers may not know detailed historical information about their property.
➡️ The explanatory notes have been rewritten to be clearer, less legalistic, with practical examples, to help sellers complete the form more confidently.
➡️ The TA7 form has also been updated to mirror the changes in the TA6, including simpler questions and the removal of duplication between the two forms.
When do the changes apply?
The new TA6 (6th edition) will become available via approved suppliers between October 2025 and January 2026. It becomes mandatory for firms part of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) on 30 March 2026.
Why these updates matter
For sellers
Completing the TA form is an important part of providing full and accurate information to the buyer. The updated version is designed to make the process less cumbersome and to reduce the kind of delays that often occur when questions are unclear or difficult to interpret. By simplifying the language and structure, the new form aims to help sellers feel more confident in completing it correctly.
Another welcome change is the addition of more “not known” options. This means sellers are no longer forced to give a definitive “yes” or “no” when they simply don’t have the information available, helping to avoid the risk of providing inaccurate or misleading details.
Even so, sellers should still answer as honestly and fully as possible based on their own knowledge of the property. If you later discover new information that could affect the buyer’s understanding of the property, it’s important to inform your solicitor promptly so it can be shared appropriately.
For buyers
Buyers will receive a completed TA6 form (and, where relevant, the TA7 for leasehold properties), which provides key details about the home they are purchasing. These forms can highlight important information early in the process, such as details about disputes, renovations, or planning permissions that might affect your decision or the property’s value.
Because the new forms use simpler language and a clearer layout, they reduce the risk of confusion or misinterpretation. This can make it easier for buyers to understand exactly what they are being told and to identify any areas of concern.
However, it’s worth remembering that some questions may now be answered with “not known”. This doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem, but buyers should discuss these points with their conveyancer and consider raising further enquiries or investigations during the survey or due diligence process.
For conveyancers and the market
The new TA forms form part of a wider effort to modernise and streamline the conveyancing process across England and Wales. The Law Society’s consultation involved more than 1,200 participants, including sellers, conveyancers, and estate agents, and the feedback clearly showed that previous editions were often seen as too lengthy and overly complex.
Simplifying the forms is expected to reduce transaction times and improve the accuracy of information exchanged between parties. Even so, it’s important to remember that these remain formal legal documents. Conveyancers should ensure that clients still take care to provide truthful, complete answers and understand the legal significance of what they are signing.
In summary
The new editions of the TA6 and TA7 forms represent a welcome step to making the conveyancing process clearer and more usable. While they remain legal documents and accurate completion remains essential, the changes aim to reflect modern practice and make life easier for sellers, buyers and legal professionals alike.
If you’re about to buy or sell a property in England or Wales and would like advice on how to navigate the TA forms, or want a specialist conveyancing team to assist, please get in touch with the conveyancing specialists at Dudden Law. We’ll be happy to guide you through the process, step-by-step.
Insights from Molly Davies
Solicitor
