The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms aimed at making home buying and selling faster, cheaper, and less stressful. The changes are designed to modernize the process, reduce the risk of sales collapsing, and save consumers money.
Key Reforms Announced
The government estimates the reforms could cut around four weeks off the average time it takes to complete a home sale. Sellers and estate agents will be required to provide key information upfront in "sales packs" at the point of listing, including details on the property's condition, leasehold costs, and chain status. This aims to help buyers make informed decisions earlier and reduce unexpected surprises.
The system will shift from paper-based to digital processes, with digital property logbooks and sales packs enabling secure, real-time information sharing. The government will also support digital identity checks, electronic signatures, and AI-assisted conveyancing to reduce duplication, fraud risk, and speed up transactions.
Binding Agreements and Professional Standards
Earlier binding agreements will be introduced to prevent parties from walking away from negotiations without a legitimate reason. A new code of practice will raise standards for estate agents, alongside proposals for mandatory qualifications to ensure agents are properly equipped to support efficient transactions.
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 Our reforms will bring this outdated process into the modern age, saving people time and money, and giving them the certainty they deserve."
Phased Implementation
The government's "full roadmap" will be rolled out across the rest of this 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 to require sales packs, binding contracts, and digital systems is expected by the end of Parliament.
Housing is a devolved policy area, and the UK government anticipates that the majority of measures will apply in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a distinct framework, so the measures are not expected to apply there.
Industry Reaction
The plans have been welcomed by industry experts. TV presenter and founder of Move iQ Phil Spencer 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, said 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 that it takes an average of 170 days to complete a transaction and over one in five transactions initially falls through. Last year, fall-throughs alone cost approximately £900 million in potential stamp duty receipts and estate agency commission in England.
Andrew Asaam, homes director at Lloyds Banking Group, said there is "a clear opportunity to simplify the process and provide greater certainty."
Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage and housing policy at the Building Societies Association, said the changes "will be particularly important for first-time buyers, helping them navigate the complex process with greater certainty and confidence."
The government pointed to successes in other countries, such as the Netherlands, which uses a live tracking system for buyers and sellers to check their transaction status.
