The UK Government has unveiled a package of reforms aimed at modernising the home buying and selling process, potentially saving time and money for consumers. The changes are designed to reduce the number of sales that fall through and speed up transactions, with estimates suggesting the process could be shortened by around four weeks.
Key Reforms Announced
Sellers and estate agents will be required to provide key information upfront in “sales packs” when listing a property. These packs will include details on the home’s condition, leasehold costs, and chain status, enabling buyers to make informed decisions earlier. The government says this will create a fairer, more transparent process.
The reforms also include a shift from paper-based to digital systems. Digital property logbooks and sales packs will allow secure, real-time information sharing among professionals, buyers, and sellers, reducing delays caused by back-and-forth communication. The government will support digital identity checks, electronic signatures, and AI-assisted conveyancing to streamline transactions and reduce fraud risk.
Additionally, earlier binding agreements will be introduced to prevent parties from walking away without a legitimate reason after months of negotiations. A new code of practice will raise standards for estate agents, along with proposals for mandatory qualifications to ensure agents are properly equipped to support efficient transactions.
Government Statements
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Getting the keys to a home you can call your own is one of the biggest events in anyone’s life. But right now, the system that should provide support instead turns it into a battle, leaving people in limbo and putting that opportunity out of reach. We’re turning the page. Our reforms will bring this outdated process into the modern age, saving people time and money, and giving them the certainty they deserve.”
Housing Secretary Steve Reed commented: “Buying or selling a home should be one of life’s great moments and not a drawn-out nightmare of delays, hidden costs and failed deals. These changes will make the system faster, fairer and more secure – giving families and first-time buyers the certainty they need all while saving them time and money.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “Delays, hidden costs and deals collapsing at the last minute are not only bad for home buyers, it’s bad for the economy too.”
Implementation Timeline
The government’s “full roadmap” will be rolled out across the rest of the Parliament. A code of practice for property agents will be set out later this year. From next year, moves will include a consultation on estate agent qualifications and expanded digital tools. Legislation requiring sales packs, binding contracts, and digital systems is expected by the end of Parliament. The phased approach aims to give the sector time to adapt.
Housing is a devolved policy area. The UK Government anticipates that most measures will apply in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a distinct framework, so the measures are not expected to apply there. Final territorial extent for legislation will be determined through the legislative process.
Industry Reaction
The plans have been widely welcomed by industry experts, who believe first-time buyers in particular will benefit. Phil Spencer, TV presenter and founder of Move iQ, said: “I welcome these proposals – they address many of the issues consumers have been grappling with for years, from a lack of upfront information to unnecessary delays and last-minute surprises.”
Paul Whitehead, chief executive of Zoopla, stated: “Homeowners deserve better than a home-buying process that takes months, falls through too often, and leaves everyone poorer for it.”
Johan Svanstrom, Rightmove’s chief executive, noted: “Our UK-wide data shows that it takes a lengthy 170 days on average to complete a transaction and that over one in five transactions initially falls through. Last year, fall-throughs alone meant that approximately £900 million in potential stamp duty receipts and estate agency commission in England was lost, and consumers lose both precious time, certainty and money when needing to repeat transaction processes.”
Andrew Asaam, homes director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “There is a clear opportunity to simplify the process and provide greater certainty in what can be a slow and complex journey, where transactions sometimes fall through for reasons beyond people’s control.”
Henry Jordan, Nationwide Building Society’s group director of mortgages, described the proposals as “a major milestone in the efforts to simplify and streamline the home-buying process.” He added: “Speeding up home buying isn’t just about convenience – it’s about helping more people complete their purchases with less frustration and fewer surprises along the way.”
Chris Rosindale, chief operating officer at Connells Group, said: “We believe in reform that makes the system faster, more transparent and more reliable, and are excited to play our part in this transformation.”
Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage and housing policy at the Building Societies Association, said: “These changes will be particularly important for first-time buyers, helping them navigate the complex process with greater certainty and confidence.”
Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said it was “in the interests of everyone that the home buying and selling process is improved.”
Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, said: “A clear focus on professional standards, digitised and trusted information as well as the appropriate use of binding contracts will help to modernise and speed up home moves.”
Justin Young, chief executive of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said: “We look forward to working closely with Government and industry partners to put consistent standards in place and make sure that the professionals delivering these services have the right skills and levels of accountability.”
Skipton Group chief executive Stuart Haire said: “For first-time buyers in particular, cutting weeks off the process and saving money will make a real difference to getting onto the housing ladder.”
Paula Higgins, chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance, said: “HomeOwners Alliance welcomes the Government’s ambition and urges ministers to maintain momentum so buyers and sellers start to see real improvements as quickly as possible.”
