How can I view an old Property Information Form (TA6 form) for someone else’s property?

Hemel2

I’ve lived in my home for many years, and have always been under the impression that the maintenance of a particular boundary wall was the neighbours responsibility. The wall developed a crack 12 months ago, and my newest neighbours (moved in 3 weeks ago) have asked me to fix it. They’ve shown me the TA6 form from my previous neighbours in which they say ownership is my responsibility. I’m pretty sure its not, and I think my previous neighbours lied on the TA6 to off-load an expensive liability when they got quotes for repairs.

 

I’ve tracked down and checked with my original neighbours (from 15 years ago), they’ve confirmed responsibility for the wall goes with the house and claim to be pretty sure they filled in a form stating that when they sold up. I’ve checked my own paperwork and can find no mention of boundary wall ownership. The house has changed ownership 4 times in 3 years, so there must be previous Property Information Forms from previous sales. Are these recorded anywhere, and are they publicly available?

SpiderLegs

Well no you won’t be able to get a previous TA6 unless you get a copy direct from a previous owner.
but even if you did what would that prove?
maybe the latest TA6 is right and an old one is wrong? Who knows.
is the wall mentioned on your deeds?
Can you evidence that a previous owner maintained the wall?

Hemel2

SpiderLegs said:

Well no you won’t be able to get a previous TA6 unless you get a copy direct from a previous owner.
but even if you did what would that prove?
maybe the latest TA6 is right and an old one is wrong? Who knows.
is the wall mentioned on your deeds?
Can you evidence that a previous owner maintained the wall?

If the previous owner was told he was responsible for the wall (in the TA6 he received when he bought it) and then tells the next buyer (via his TA6) that I'm responsible for the wall, then that's indicates either something has changed, or some new information has turned up - after all, the house was his for less than a year.

Hemel2

SpiderLegs said:

Can you evidence that a previous owner maintained the wall?

No, the wall hasn't needed work in the 15 years I've been here - but the owner at that time claimed responsibility for the wall, and told the buyer that followed him that he was responsible for the wall. I'm not sure how responsibility can have changed since then without me knowing about it.

SpiderLegs

Hemel2 said:

SpiderLegs said:

Well no you won’t be able to get a previous TA6 unless you get a copy direct from a previous owner.
but even if you did what would that prove?
maybe the latest TA6 is right and an old one is wrong? Who knows.
is the wall mentioned on your deeds?
Can you evidence that a previous owner maintained the wall?

If the previous owner was told he was responsible for the wall (in the TA6 he received when he bought it) and then tells the next buyer (via his TA6) that I'm responsible for the wall, then that's indicates either something has changed, or some new information has turned up - after all, the house was his for less than a year.

Yes so the TA6 form is going to tell you nothing. You already assume that they give different answers, the current owners will not give a monkeys about the previous one. So you need some actual evidence or you are either going to end up sharing responsibility or having a nice long legal dispute that makes living next door a real pleasure. 

SpiderLegs

To add. 

Your other option of course is to simply tell the neighbour that the wall is their responsibility and let them go off and investigate further. 

NinjaTune

ETA:  Apologies, misunderstood the question and thought you meant an old TA6 for your own property.  Anything from here on in is probably irrelevant ...

Our house was built in the 70s and we have the original deeds that clearly state boundary feature ownership.  Shared party wall fences with side and nice big T on the plans showing we have responsibility for the back fence (made it easy to fill in the TA6 accurately).

Are you able to get a copy of the original deeds or is the house too old and it's lost in the mists of time?  A TA6 is only as accurate as the person completing it, I certainly wouldn't rely on what a previous owner stated on their form.

steampowered

Surely the question of who is responsible for repairing the wall is a legal question?

I can't see how it makes any difference what past owners of the property said on a TA6. The past owners could have been completely wrong !

Hemel2

SpiderLegs said:

To add. 

Your other option of course is to simply tell the neighbour that the wall is their responsibility and let them go off and investigate further. 

Thats kinda what I've already done - however, the new neighbours want to treat their TA6 as gospel, which is understandable since it tells them exactly what they want to hear. My argument really is with the previous neighbours.

Tiglet2

Purchase your own title deeds and title plan, as well as those for your neighbour.  It may indicate by "T" markings on the plan, or it might state within the title, who is responsible for the boundary wall.  If none of the deeds states who is responsible and there are no other old conveyances which state responsibilities, then the Land Registry will advise that the boundary is shared.  Sellers complete the TA6 "to the best of their ability and knowledge", but of course that is not to say that they are right!

SpiderLegs

Hemel2 said:

SpiderLegs said:

To add. 

Your other option of course is to simply tell the neighbour that the wall is their responsibility and let them go off and investigate further. 

Thats kinda what I've already done - however, the new neighbours want to treat their TA6 as gospel, which is understandable since it tells them exactly what they want to hear. My argument really is with the previous neighbours.

No it isn’t. As has been explained multiple times. What they put on their TA6 is of no relevance. You need legal evidence.