By If you’re getting ready to sell your house in Chichester or Bognor Regis, it’s important to anticipate the TA6 and TA10 property forms that will come from your solicitor.
These transaction forms are required to be completed by law and are designed to give the potential buyers detailed information about your property and the conditions of sale. Understanding what is required ahead of the conveyancing stage can significantly speed up the sales process - have everything ready in advance and potential buyers are less likely to come back with questions and queries, which can add weeks to the sales process and become sticking points.
Take double-glazed windows and front doors for example. If you don’t have a certificate stating that they comply with Building Regulations or that they were installed by a FENSA-approved fitter, a buyer may feel they are purchasing a property where substandard work has been undertaken.
On the flipside, a buyer may be thrilled to learn that they can buy your property with all fixtures, fittings, furniture and white goods included but this is information that should be disclosed upfront, as it could be a very persuasive selling factor.
TA6 form: a quick guide
The TA6 form relates to the building itself and will detail everything from ownership and planning permissions to building control, work guarantees and warranties.
Dust off your filing cabinet and box files to collect all paperwork concerning the property for sale. This includes everything from the deeds and Land Registry documents when you first purchased your home, to any historical and recent works certificates, service logs for appliances such as boilers and burglar alarms, and official approvals.
These documents will help you to complete the TA6 form to the best of your knowledge, which will ask for information on:
1. Boundaries: who is responsible for which borders and adjoining or shared walls.
2. Disputes & complaints: whether there are any known feuds or disagreements between neighbours, particularly those made official by involving the local authorities or the police.
3. Notices & proposals: are there any plans to build on the green space outside your house or cut down a tree that currently gives your garden some privacy, for example?
4. Alterations, planning & building control: concerning any changes made to the property, such as extensions or conversions, and if they have the necessary consents.
5. Guarantees & warranties: for any work you have carried out, such as damp proofing, insulation and electrical work.
6. Insurance: your buildings insurance status and claims history.
7. Environmental matters: the Energy Performance rating (EPC) and if the property has had any green improvements. You also need to disclose any flooding or evidence of Japanese Knotweed.
8. Rights & informal arrangements: this pertains to any shared access or if the public has right of way on your land, for example.
9. Parking: providing information on whether you have a driveway, if free off-road parking is available or whether there’s a garage en block, plus whether any permits are required, or restrictions are in place.
10. Other charges: regarding payments to any management companies or freeholders, or if a lender/interested party of any kind has a charge on the property.
11. Occupiers: simply who lives at the property and whether the property will be vacant when the buyer moves in.
12. Connections & utility services: details of how the property is heated, such as gas central heating or oil, who the energy suppliers are, disclosure around a septic tank or cesspit, metre locations and if any electrical or drainage work has been serviced or upgraded.
13. Transaction information: this is about the proposed conditions of sale rather than the actual property, such as removal of rubbish and preferred moving dates.
A word of warning: if you don’t know the answer to some of the questions, don’t assume one or make a wild guess. Inaccurate or incorrect information can be a cause for delay, so ensure you consult a solicitor throughout. Much of the information you need will be in the conveyancing pack from when you bought the property.
TA10 form: a quick guide
This fittings and contents form is not mandatory but failing to complete it could delay the sales process. Completing it is also a good exercise for sellers, as it gives them a tick list of items in the home that they may not even have considered taking with them to their next property.
The TA10 form lists all the items that you plan on leaving behind for the buyer – an aspect that can work really well as a negotiating tool. If you buyer wants to quibble on price, they may be persuaded to maintain their offer if you throw in your sofas or agree to leave the washing machine, for example. You can also offer to sell items you no longer need to recoup some money – especially if they were custom-made for the property.
The TA10 form covers everything from light switches, sockets, window coverings and internal door fittings to carpets, fireplaces, radiators, ovens and white goods. Even bins, water butts and doorbells are listed!
For some people, it makes sense to leave many of these items behind as they may not fit or be needed in the next property but for other sellers, items may have sentimental value and it's vital that the buyer knows they won’t be left in the property.
If you have a top-of-the-range bathroom with taps costing hundreds of pounds, for example, or a designer fitted wardrobe, you might not have the money to make the same investment again. It is possible to remove these and take them with you – as long as the buyer is aware of your intention.
The TA10 form also reminds you to think about the outside too and whether you are going to take sheds, outbuildings and BBQs with you.
Now you’re prepared, why not get in touch with our team for a no obligation property valuation?
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