Significant reforms have been unveiled today, Friday 19 June, designed to streamline the homebuying and selling process in the UK, making it quicker, more affordable, and less stressful for consumers. The changes are intended to tackle long-standing issues within the property market, which currently sees average transactions taking around 120 days and one in three sales collapsing, costing sellers an estimated £400 million annually.
A core element of the new measures requires sellers and estate agents to provide comprehensive 'sales packs' upfront when a property is listed. These packs will detail crucial information such as the home's condition, leasehold costs, and chain status, enabling buyers to make more informed decisions from the outset. This move is expected to foster greater transparency and allow property professionals to commence their work earlier in the process, reducing the likelihood of unexpected issues causing delays or fall-throughs.
Furthermore, the reforms introduce earlier binding agreements, aimed at preventing parties from withdrawing from negotiations months into a transaction without a valid reason. This is anticipated to instil greater confidence in the system, particularly for younger buyers, allowing them to plan their next steps with more certainty. The government suggests these changes could cut homebuying times by approximately four weeks and save first-time buyers an average of £650.
A major shift towards digitalisation is also central to the reforms, moving away from outdated paper-based systems. Digital property logbooks and sales packs will facilitate the secure sharing of trusted information between professionals and provide real-time access for buyers and sellers. The government plans to support digital identity checks, electronic signatures, and AI-assisted conveyancing to minimise duplication, mitigate fraud risks, and accelerate transactions from start to finish. This aims to create a modern, end-to-end system where individuals can more easily track and progress their move.
In addition to these structural changes, new standards are being proposed for estate agents. A Code of Practice will be introduced to set minimum benchmarks for property professionals, alongside proposals for mandatory qualifications for the sector. These initiatives are intended to ensure agents are adequately equipped to support efficient transactions and to rebuild trust within the industry. Countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Finland are cited as examples where similar reforms have delivered tangible benefits, including significantly faster completion times.
The full roadmap for these reforms will be implemented across the remainder of the Parliament, with a Code of Practice and improved listing guidance expected later this year. Consultation on estate agent qualifications and expanded digital tools is planned from 2027, with comprehensive legislation for sales packs, binding contracts, and digital systems anticipated by the end of the Parliament. This phased approach is designed to allow the sector time to adapt while delivering improvements progressively.