We discussed the proposed home buying and selling reform consultation in February this year. Following this, the government has now shared its roadmap for reform, providing more detail on how it plans to improve the home moving process and tackle some of the issues that have frustrated buyers and sellers for years.
At the time of our previous article, many of the proposals were still under consultation. Now, the government’s response sets out a clearer direction, with a focus on reducing delays, increasing transparency and reducing the number of transactions that fall through before completion.
So, what does the roadmap include, and what could it mean for those buying or selling a property in the future?
Why is reform to the home buying and selling process needed?
For many people, moving home remains one of the most stressful things you can do. Property transactions can take months to complete, communication between parties can be inconsistent, and buyers often find out important information that could affect decisions about a property late in the buying process.
According to the government, around one in three property transactions fall through before completion, resulting in wasted time, increased costs and frustration for everyone involved. The reforms aim to address these challenges by providing more information upfront, making greater use of digital technology and encouraging earlier commitment from both buyers and sellers.
More information upfront
One of the main proposals is the introduction of more upfront property information before a home is marketed.
The government’s plan is that buyers should have access to key information much earlier in the process, allowing them to make more informed decisions before committing significant time and money.
This could include information such as:
- Property title details
- Leasehold information where applicable
- Property condition information
- Relevant searches and material facts
The aim is to reduce the number of unexpected issues that emerge later in a transaction, helping buyers proceed with greater confidence and reducing avoidable delays or fall-throughs.
For conveyancers, this approach reinforces the benefit of being instructed early. The sooner information can be gathered and reviewed, the sooner potential issues can be identified and addressed.
Reducing the risk of failed transactions
Another significant area of change is reducing transaction fall-throughs.
The roadmap explores ways to encourage earlier binding commitments between buyers and sellers once an offer has been accepted. This is intended to reduce issues such as gazumping and gazundering, while providing greater certainty for all parties involved in the transaction.
While the exact mechanism has yet to be finalised, the government’s aim is to create a process where both sides have more confidence that a sale will proceed once key stages have been reached. Currently either party can pull out of the transaction at any point before exchange of contracts.
For buyers and sellers, this could mean fewer failed transactions and less money spent on surveys, searches and legal work for purchases that do not reach completion.
Driving digital transformation
Digitalisation sits at the centre of the proposed reforms.
The government has identified a range of opportunities to improve the home moving process through technology, including:
- Digital identity verification
- Electronic signatures
- Digital property information
- Improved sharing of property data between parties
Many conveyancers have already introduced digital processes. The governments roadmap suggests this trend will continue, with greater standardisation and integration across the industry.
The long-term goal is a more connected and efficient property sale process, where information can be accessed, verified and shared more quickly than is currently possible.
Raising standards across the industry
Alongside improvements to processes and technology, the reforms also aim to improve professional standards within the home buying and selling sector.
Proposals include a new code of practice for estate agents and consideration of enhanced professional standards and qualifications across the industry.
The government believes greater consistency and transparency will help improve consumer confidence and ensure buyers and sellers receive a more reliable service when buying and selling property.
Industry reaction to the proposed reforms
The government’s goals have been mostly welcomed across the property sector, particularly the focus on reducing delays and improving transparency.
However, industry reaction has also highlighted some concerns around the implementation set out in the new roadmap.
A number of conveyancing professionals have questioned whether the proposed sales packs could create additional costs or administrative burdens if not introduced carefully. Others have drawn comparisons with the previous Home Information Pack (HIP) initiative, which ended up being withdrawn after facing a lot of criticism.
Several commentators have stressed that while the objectives are positive, success will depend on how the reforms are delivered. There is an agreement that simply introducing additional requirements will not improve the process unless they are supported by effective technology, clear standards and industry-wide up-take.
What happens next?
The roadmap does not introduce immediate changes to the home buying and selling process. Instead, it sets out a phased programme of updates that will involve further collaboration between government, industry bodies and property professionals.
Areas expected to be developed further include:
- Requirements for upfront information and sales packs
- Earlier binding commitment between buyers and sellers
- Greater use of digital property data
- Continued digitalisation of the conveyancing process
The government has indicated that legislation will be introduced during this Parliament to support key aspects of the reforms.
Home buying and selling reform roadmap: what happens when?
While many of the proposed changes have attracted attention, it’s important to remember that reform will be introduced gradually over several years.
2026: Laying the foundations
The government’s immediate focus is on improving transparency and preparing the industry for future changes. Key actions include:
- Publishing guidance to improve the quality of information included in property listings.
- Working with industry to identify the information that could form part of future sales packs.
- Introducing a new Code of Practice for estate agents.
- Supporting training and skills development across the industry.
- Encouraging the voluntary use of reservation agreements.
- Improving access to property data held by local authorities.
- Exploring how smart data could be used to improve property transactions.
2027–2028: Building adoption
The next phase focuses on encouraging greater consistency and wider use of digital tools.
Planned actions include:
- Publishing a charter outlining expectations for property professionals.
- Consulting on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents.
- Supporting wider adoption of digital identity verification, electronic signatures and digital property logbooks.
- Consulting on legislation relating to sales information for leasehold and freehold properties.
- Developing proposals for binding contracts and potential penalty structures.
- Establishing voluntary accreditation standards for property data.
- Consulting further on the introduction of a smart data scheme.
By the end of this Parliament: Legislative change
The government’s longer-term ambition is to introduce legislation that would:
- Require sales packs to be prepared before a property is marketed.
- Introduce binding conditional contracts as a standard part of the transaction process.
- Support the secure sharing of property data.
- Make digital sales packs and property logbooks a standard feature of home buying and selling.
While some changes can be implemented through guidance and industry collaboration, the most significant reforms will require legislation and are likely to take several years to become fully embedded across the sector.
The future of buying and selling property
The publication of the roadmap represents an important step in the government’s plans to modernise the home buying and selling process.
While there are still questions around implementation, the direction of travel is becoming clearer. Greater transparency, earlier access to information and increased use of digital technology are likely to play an increasingly important role in how property transactions are conducted in the future.
For buyers and sellers, the aim is clear: a faster, more transparent and more reliable home moving experience.
