TA6 Alterations Section Explained: How to Answer Section 6 Correctly

If you're selling your home, the TA6 Property Information Form is one of the most important documents you'll need to complete. And within it, the alterations section is often the part that causes the most delays and follow-up enquiries from the buyer's solicitor.

This section asks about every change that has been made to the property \u2014 from major extensions down to replacement windows \u2014 and whether the correct approvals were obtained. If you get it wrong or leave gaps, expect your sale to slow down significantly while the buyer's solicitor chases documentation.

This guide explains exactly what the TA6 alterations section asks, what counts as an alteration, and how to handle the common situation where paperwork is missing.

What does the TA6 alterations section cover?

In the current 4th edition of the TA6 (published by the Law Society in 2020), the alterations questions appear in Section 6: Alterations, planning and building control. The section asks three core questions:

1. Has the property been altered, extended, or had a change of use since it was built?
2. If yes, was planning permission obtained (or did the work fall under permitted development)?
3. If yes, was building regulations approval obtained and was a completion certificate issued?

For each piece of work, you are expected to provide copies of relevant documentation: planning permission decision notices, building regulations completion certificates, FENSA certificates for window replacements, or confirmation that the work fell within permitted development rights.

The buyer's solicitor will scrutinise these answers closely. Any work disclosed without supporting documentation will trigger additional enquiries, and any undisclosed work that comes to light later could give rise to a misrepresentation claim.

What counts as an alteration?

The TA6 uses the word "alteration" broadly. It covers any physical change to the property that could have required planning permission or building regulations approval. Common examples include:

Extensions

Single-storey rear extensions, side extensions, two-storey extensions, and wraparound extensions all count. Even if the extension was built under permitted development rights and did not require a formal planning application, you still need to disclose it and explain the basis on which it was built. Building regulations approval is required for all extensions regardless of whether planning permission was needed.

Loft conversions

Converting a loft into a habitable room is one of the most common alterations in UK homes. A loft conversion typically requires building regulations approval covering structural calculations, fire safety (including escape routes and fire doors), insulation, staircase design, and electrical work. Many loft conversions fall within permitted development and do not need planning permission, but building regulations are always required.

Conservatories

Conservatories are often assumed to be exempt from building regulations, but this exemption only applies if the conservatory meets certain conditions: it must be at ground level, under 30 square metres, thermally separated from the main house by external-quality walls and doors, and have an independent heating system with its own temperature controls. If the separating wall between the conservatory and the house has been removed \u2014 a very common alteration \u2014 the conservatory becomes part of the main dwelling and full building regulations approval is required.

Removal of internal walls

Knocking through between rooms to create open-plan living spaces is extremely popular, but if the wall is load-bearing, the work requires building regulations approval. A structural engineer's calculations are needed, and a steel beam (RSJ) or other support must be installed to carry the load. Even non-load-bearing walls may require building regulations approval if the work affects fire separation (for example, between a kitchen and a hallway in a property with an integral garage).

Chimney breast removal

Removing a chimney breast, either at ground-floor level or upstairs, is structural work that requires building regulations approval. The chimney stack above must be adequately supported, usually with a gallows bracket or steel beam. This is a common source of problems during sales, particularly when the work was done without sign-off and the remaining chimney stack is not properly supported.

Replacement windows and doors

Since 1 April 2002, replacement windows and external doors have been notifiable building work. The work must be carried out by a FENSA-registered installer (who self-certifies compliance) or be inspected and signed off by local authority building control. If your windows were replaced after this date and you have no FENSA certificate or building regulations completion certificate, this is a gap you need to address. See our guide on what to do if you have no FENSA certificate for practical steps.

Other common alterations

The following also need to be disclosed on the TA6 alterations section:

• Garage conversions (to living space, home office, or gym)
• Rewiring \u2014 a full or partial rewire is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations
• Re-plumbing and new bathrooms (if involving drainage alterations)
• Installation of a new boiler or heating system (notifiable under Part J and Part L)
• Underpinning or subsidence repair
• Roof alterations, including changing the roof structure or covering
• Adding a new external door or enlarging an opening

Planning permission vs permitted development

One of the most common points of confusion for sellers is the difference between planning permission and permitted development.

Planning permission is a formal approval from your local planning authority to carry out development. You apply through the Planning Portal or directly to your council, and the authority decides whether to grant permission based on local planning policies, the impact on neighbours, and other factors.

Permitted development (PD) is a set of rights granted by Parliament under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 that allows certain types of work to be carried out without a formal planning application. This includes many single-storey rear extensions, loft conversions within certain size limits, and outbuildings in the garden, provided they meet specific criteria.

However, permitted development rights can be removed or restricted by:

• Article 4 directions \u2014 the local authority can remove PD rights in specific areas (common in conservation areas)
• Listed building status \u2014 listed buildings have no permitted development rights for any alteration that affects the building's character
• Conditions on the original planning permission for the property \u2014 some planning permissions remove PD rights as a condition
• Flat or maisonette \u2014 flats and maisonettes have very limited permitted development rights

If work was done under permitted development, you should state this clearly on the TA6 and, ideally, provide a lawful development certificate (LDC) from your local authority as evidence. An LDC confirms that the work was lawful under PD rights and provides strong legal protection. You can apply for one retrospectively through your local council.

Building regulations approval

Building regulations are entirely separate from planning permission. While planning controls what you build and where, building regulations control how it is built. They cover structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, ventilation, drainage, electrical safety, and accessibility.

Almost all structural and building work requires building regulations approval, regardless of whether planning permission was needed. The approval process involves either:

• Local authority building control (LABC) \u2014 you submit a building notice or full plans application to your council
• An approved inspector \u2014 a private building control body registered with the Construction Industry Council

Once the work is complete and has been inspected, a completion certificate is issued. This is the document the buyer's solicitor wants to see. An initial approval notice or building notice acknowledgement is not sufficient \u2014 it only confirms the plans were accepted, not that the finished work meets the required standards.

For a detailed guide on what to do when this certificate is missing, see our article on building regulations sign-off missing.

What to do if you have no paperwork

Missing documentation for building work is one of the most common problems sellers face when completing the TA6. Whether the work was done by you without proper sign-off or by a previous owner who left no records, you have several options:

1. Contact your local authority

Your local authority building control department holds records of all building regulations applications and completion certificates. Contact them and request a search for your property. Many councils offer an online search facility or will respond to written requests. There may be a small fee (typically \u00a310\u2013\u00a350). For planning records, check your council's online planning portal, which often holds records going back several decades.

2. Apply for a regularisation certificate

If the work was done after 11 November 1985 and no building regulations application was ever made, you can apply for a regularisation certificate under regulation 18 of the Building Regulations 2010. The local authority will inspect the work (which may involve opening up floors, ceilings, or walls) and issue a regularisation certificate if the work meets the required standards. If it does not, you may need to carry out remedial work.

Regularisation fees vary by council and by the type of work. As a rough guide:

Regularisation is the strongest evidence you can provide because it confirms the work actually meets the Building Regulations. It takes longer than indemnity insurance (typically 4\u201312 weeks) but provides much greater peace of mind for both parties.

3. Obtain indemnity insurance

If regularisation is not practical \u2014 for example, because the work was done before November 1985, or because the cost and disruption of opening up the structure is disproportionate \u2014 your solicitor can arrange an indemnity insurance policy. This typically costs between \u00a350 and \u00a3300 as a one-off premium and covers the buyer (and their mortgage lender) against the financial risk of the local authority taking enforcement action.

However, indemnity insurance comes with important limitations:

• It does not certify that the work meets the Building Regulations
• Most policies are invalidated if the local authority is contacted about the work (so you must not contact them once the policy is in place)
• It only covers enforcement action, not the cost of fixing defective work

Despite these limitations, indemnity insurance is widely accepted by buyer solicitors and mortgage lenders, particularly for older work where the 12-month enforcement window under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984 has long since expired.

4. Check FENSA or competent person scheme records

For replacement windows and doors, contact FENSA directly to check whether a certificate exists for your property. If the work was done by an installer registered with another competent person scheme (such as CERTASS), check with that scheme instead. These organisations hold databases of all certificates issued.

Common mistakes when completing the alterations section

Based on the enquiries that buyer solicitors most frequently raise, here are the mistakes to avoid:

1. Assuming permitted development means no disclosure is needed. Even if the work was lawful under PD rights, you still need to declare it on the TA6 and explain the basis on which it was carried out.
2. Confusing planning permission with building regulations. Many sellers say "we had planning permission" when asked about building regulations, or vice versa. They are different consents, and the buyer's solicitor will ask about each one separately.
3. Failing to disclose work done by a previous owner. If you know about it \u2014 or if it is obvious from the property \u2014 you should disclose it. Stating "Not known" when there is a clearly visible extension will raise suspicion.
4. Providing an initial approval notice instead of a completion certificate. The buyer's solicitor wants the completion certificate, not the initial approval. These are different documents.
5. Leaving the section blank. A blank answer forces the buyer's solicitor to raise an enquiry, adding days or weeks to the process. If no alterations have been made, state this clearly: "No alterations have been made to the property during our ownership and we are not aware of any alterations made by previous owners."
6. Forgetting about electrical work. Since 2005, most electrical work in England has been notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. This includes adding new circuits, rewiring, and work in bathrooms and kitchens. A certificate from a registered electrician (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) counts as self-certification.

How to answer the alterations section honestly

The key principle is straightforward: be thorough and honest. The seller's duty of disclosure means you should not conceal information that a reasonable buyer would want to know. Here is a practical approach:

1. Make a list of every alteration. Walk through your property and note every change that has been made, whether by you or a previous owner. Include even minor work \u2014 it is better to over-disclose than under-disclose.
2. Gather all documentation. For each item, collect planning permission decision notices, building regulations completion certificates, FENSA certificates, and any correspondence with your local authority.
3. Fill in the gaps. Where documentation is missing, contact your local authority building control department and the planning department. Check FENSA and other competent person scheme databases.
4. Be specific in your answers. Rather than writing "extension built," write "Single-storey rear kitchen extension (approximately 4m x 3m) built in 2017. Building regulations completion certificate obtained from [council name], reference [number]. Work fell within permitted development; no planning application was required."
5. Use "Not known" properly. If you genuinely do not know whether work was done or whether approvals were obtained, say "Not known" and explain why. For example: "Not known \u2014 the loft conversion was in place when we purchased the property in 2012. We have been unable to locate a building regulations completion certificate from the local authority."

Consequences of false answers

Deliberately concealing alterations or providing false information on the TA6 can have serious legal consequences. Under the Misrepresentation Act 1967, the buyer may bring a claim against you after completion for:

• Fraudulent misrepresentation \u2014 if you knowingly gave false answers. The buyer can claim damages for all losses, and the court can set the sale aside entirely.
• Negligent misrepresentation \u2014 if you were careless and failed to check the accuracy of your answers. The buyer can claim damages under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.

In practice, concealed alterations are often discovered during the buyer's survey, through local authority searches, or when the buyer carries out their own renovation work after moving in. If selling after major renovation, being upfront about all work and its approvals is particularly important, as the buyer and their solicitor will expect comprehensive documentation.

Even if a claim is never brought, concealing information can delay the sale if the buyer's surveyor or solicitor discovers discrepancies. At best, you will face additional enquiries; at worst, the buyer may withdraw entirely, citing loss of trust. This is one of the key reasons house sales fall through.

Preparing the alterations section before you list

The best time to deal with the TA6 alterations section is before you put your property on the market. By gathering your documents, identifying any gaps, and applying for regularisation certificates or arranging indemnity insurance early, you can present a complete picture to the buyer's solicitor from day one.

This upfront approach \u2014 preparing your legal pack before listing \u2014 can cut weeks off the conveyancing timeline and significantly reduce the risk of your sale collapsing. It is exactly the approach Pine is designed to support, helping sellers get sale-ready before their buyer arrives.

Sources

• Law Society of England and Wales \u2014 Property Information Form (TA6), 4th edition, 2020
• Gov.uk \u2014 Planning Permission guidance: gov.uk/planning-permission-england-wales
• The Building Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2214), regulation 18 (regularisation) \u2014 legislation.gov.uk
• Building Act 1984, Section 36 (enforcement) \u2014 legislation.gov.uk
• Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 \u2014 legislation.gov.uk
• Misrepresentation Act 1967 \u2014 legislation.gov.uk
• FENSA \u2014 Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme: fensa.org.uk
• Gov.uk \u2014 Building Regulations approval guidance: gov.uk/building-regulations-approval

Related guides

• TA6 Structural Changes: What to Declare

Frequently asked questions