The Law Society has produced long-awaited updated property forms designed to make buying and selling homes easier.

Following a consultation process that began two years ago, the Property Information Form (TA6) and Fitting and Contents Form (TA10) have been revised.

The new forms are designed to improve the conveyancing process by obtaining more accurate and reliable information earlier in the transaction. They incorporate new questions that are commonly asked as additional enquiries, creating delay.

TA6 has also been updated to take account of problem issues, including flooding and Japanese knotweed as well as the recently announced Green Deal.

The documents incorporate feedback from Conveyancing Quality Scheme firms, the Law Society’s Property Section, local law societies and other industry stakeholders including as the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Jonathan Smithers, chair of the conveyancing and land law committee, said the forms are a ‘substantial revision’ of the previous versions and a positive development for both practitioners and clients.

Smithers said the forms had taken longer than expected to produce, but he said: ‘Constant revision and updating leads to uncertainty for professionals and clients alike so getting it right, rather than doing it quickly, was critical.’

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said the forms were an example of the Law Society listening to the views of consumers and the industry. ‘Conveyancing is a complex process and anything we can do to ease the burden on solicitors and ultimately consumers is a great result.’

Chancery Lane pointed out that Obligation 11 of the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol General requires firms to use the most up to date versions of the forms, and encourages senior responsible officers to introduce the new forms as soon as practicable.

The forms can be viewed on the Law Society site.

The Law Society has also produced a webinar on how to use them.