After months of consultation and plenty of feedback from those on the front line, the new editions are here. The idea is to strip back the clutter, make the language clearer, and focus on what really matters.
The TA6 Property Information Form (6th Edition) has had a complete overhaul. Gone is the dense, overly complicated layout that caused so much frustration in the previous version. In its place is a shorter, more readable form, written in plainer English and organised in a way that feels more logical. It’s still detailed, as it has to be, yet it should now be easier for clients to complete and for conveyancers to review.
The TA7 Leasehold Information Form (5th Edition) has also been reshaped. It now sits better alongside the new TA6, removing duplication and adding more relevant questions that reflect today’s property landscape. There’s now a section asking whether the property is in a “relevant building” under the Building Safety Act, while the old “qualifying lease” question has been dropped.
For conveyancers, these updates go beyond simply tidying up the paperwork. The intention is to make the process more accurate, easier for clients to follow, and better aligned with how firms actually work. Yet, while the Law Society has taken some notice of the feedback that was given, these new versions are still a long way from providing a full solution. Much remains to be done before they come close to what’s really needed in practice. The new forms are already available, but for CQS-accredited firms, they become mandatory from 30 March 2026, giving firms time to adjust and prepare.
It isn’t normally part of a local authority researcher’s brief to compile or contribute data that would appear in forms such as the TA6, TA7 or BASPI (Buying and Selling Property Information). Yet, much of the information that IPSA members collect from councils and the Land Registry often turns out to be material to a property sale. Those ahead of the curve have already been exploring ways to align what sellers provide with what local search agents uncover, giving a fuller, more rounded view for buyers.
In the past, too much unnecessary or overlapping information only complicated things. That’s why these new versions are such a welcome opportunity to rethink how data is gathered and used, rather than a ready-made solution. They give the profession something new to work with, but for real progress to be made, the Law Society needs to continue listening to knowledgeable professionals who understand the realities of day-to-day conveyancing.
This whole shift also ties into the ongoing conversation about material information. Earlier attempts to cram every possible detail into the forms didn’t land well. Many conveyancers felt it created risk without benefit. The Law Society seems to have heard that message, but there’s still work to be done to balance what’s useful against what’s excessive.
For IPSA members, this change matters. Property search agents often uncover information that forms part of the bigger picture, even if it doesn’t officially belong on the TA6 or TA7. As the process evolves, so does the importance of clarity, accuracy, and local knowledge. The better the groundwork, the smoother the journey for everyone involved.
On this week’s IPSA Kind of Magic, Gareth Wax will be joined by myself, Hamish McLay, to look at how these new forms might reshape the conveyancing process and what they mean for the independent search community. It will be interesting to explore how far they go, where they fall short, and what more needs to be done to make them truly fit for purpose.
Join us live on Wednesday 22nd October at 1pm to hear the full discussion. As always, your thoughts, comments, and experiences are welcome before, during, or after the show.
Watch live or catch up anytime at:
https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
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