They are taking the PIF

On 30 March 2026 the TA6 Property Information Form (“PIF”) sixth edition will become mandatory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme (“CQS”) member conveyancing firms. The new sixth edition will replace the previous fourth and fifth editions following consultation but also substantial pushback on the fifth edition. 

What is PIF?

The PIF is a protocol form used in most residential conveyancing transactions, containing standardised questions or enquiries which a buyer (and/or their lender) will need answering. For example, has the Property ever flooded, has the Property been altered and are there any occupiers in the Property (tenants, owner’s children etc). 

Issues with the fifth edition 

The fifth edition included extensive questions relating to “material information” about a property, to comply with National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (“NTSELAT”), and the guidance was withdrawn in May 2025. While the guidance was withdrawn, it should be noted that the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (“DMCC 2024”) replaced this guidance, putting the guidance on a statutory footing and reproducing duties to disclose material information, to treat consumers fairly and not to mislead them – so for example no actively concealing information that might discourage a prospective buyer from purchasing a Property.

How the sixth edition has been revised 

Mindful of feedback from conveyancers, emphasising the difficulties sellers would have in completing the fifth edition, the Law Society revised their new TA6 and removed 10 sections when drafting the sixth edition. Sellers are to be asked not only fewer questions but less intrusive questions with a greater number of questions now having a ‘Not Known’ option when responding. This is important for sellers with the guidance for the TA6 form noting that responses need to be true and accurate, not misleading, or else a buyer could potentially make a claim for misrepresentation. 

Streamlining and accessibility 

Also, it is worth noting that the form has been streamlined to reduce the duplication of work, but also to help sellers by breaking up the guidance notes in the form. It has been noticed by the Law Society that sadly these were too dense, discouraging sellers from reading them. 

Purpose of the new form 

Overall, the aim with the new Property Information Form is to streamline, reduce the duplication of work compared with the fifth edition, to better account for sellers not having all of the information sought, and to reduce the pressure to give potentially incorrect or misleading responses by allowing sellers to more readily disclaim that they do not know.

It is important to note that while steps were taken to make the form more accessible, no two properties are the same, no two conveyancing matters are the same, and we are always willing to discuss enquiries and protocol forms with our clients to ensure they understand and are comfortable with the responses given. If in doubt, ring your conveyancer, we are here to help. Contact me, Joshua Kingston here or our residential property team here.