If you are or looking to sell your property then you may be familiar with the property information TA6 Forms. Solicitors will provide this form to you. In fact, on this document there is a specific question relating to Japanese knotweed that many people struggle to understand how to answer correctly. Therefore, continue reading to find out everything you need to know about question 7.8 on this documentation.
A TA6 Property Information Form is a document that a homeowner completes when selling their property. From this, it will then give a potential buyer precise detail about the home they are about to purchase. Also, when the TA6 form was revised in 2013, a question about Japanese knotweed was introduced.
To most, this may seem like a straightforward question. However, if you answer it incorrectly it can cost you tens of thousands of pounds. Furthermore, in relation to a response, there are three possible options:
1. No- To select this option you must be ‘certain’ that there is no Japanese Knotweed or rhizomes present within 3 metres of the property boundary. However, if you tick the option for ‘No’ and then Japanese Knotweed is found to be present at the property, this makes you liable for any costs and you may be sued. The average cost for previous owners that have misrepresented the facts, even if unknowingly, has been £32,000.
2. Yes- When choosing this option, you are confirming Japanese Knotweed as present on or around the property. To continue with the sale, the owner must state whether there is a knotweed Management Plan (KMP) in place and if so, supply a copy to their solicitor.
3. Not Known– By selecting ‘Not Known’, you are passing the liability of any Japanese knotweed found in the future onto the purchaser. This can initially seem like the wise course of action. However, this will usually delay the sale as the response is then questioned by purchaser’s solicitor. Therefore, this will inevitably result in a request for a site survey for Japanese knotweed.
Are you looking to sell your house? If so, it is important the TA6 form is filled in correctly. The solution to this is to book in for a site survey to ensure your sale will go through as smoothly as possible and will avoid any litigation brought against you in the future.
Get in touch to book your survey today, call us on 01782 479444 or email us at [email protected]