Simpler, cheaper & quicker: your guide to proposed buying & selling reforms

Buying and selling property may radically change in the next four years, and you have the opportunity to shape the future. The Government has announced a 12 week consultation on a wide range of proposed reforms, with the general public from across the UK invited to contribute their views.

Property professionals, trade bodies and suppliers to the industry are also encouraged to complete this online survey by 21st December 2025, with many of the questions in the consultation asking people if they think the proposed reforms should become law. 

The consultation document gives us an idea of what buying and selling in the future may look like, setting out current problems, suggesting solutions and explaining the benefits. 

The topline benefits include:

• Buyers could expect to see around 4 weeks cut from transaction times

• Fall throughs could be reduced from 1 in 3 transactions to 1 in 7

• Sellers could expect the time they spend on a transaction to reduce by 2 weeks

• First-time buyers would be expected to save around £710 per transaction

• Home movers could save £400 per transaction

• Variable conveyancing costs could reduce by £340 for buyers and £250 for sellers

There’s a lot to digest so we have picked out the most pertinent proposals below:

• Increased amounts of upfront information

Although every property listing already needs to disclose Material Information at the time of marketing, the depth and breadth of the information supplied could change. The Government has launched a separate consultation on how Material Information can be standardised and improved but a seismic shift is proposed. 

The Government wants the emphasis to switch from the buyer to the seller when it comes to critical details. If adopted, a seller would have to come to market with all searches complete, a property condition assessment and details usually supplied on the TA6 form. This represents a huge timing change. At present, this information is usually found out by the buyer during the conveyancing process. In the future, it will be commissioned, collated and paid for by the seller (together with their conveyancer) in advance of a sale. 

• Early binding agreements

The Government is gauging interest in something that has reduced fall through rates in Scotland – early binding agreements. Currently 1 in 7 sales collapse, often due to the discovery and disclosure of issues after an offer has been accepted, but sometimes simply due to a buyer’s change of heart. 

Early binding agreements only work when there is an increased amount of upfront, accurate information. This allows buyers to make quick, informed decisions and gives them confidence to lock into a purchase knowing there won’t be any surprises later on. 

• Digital revolution

The Government would like all aspects of buying and selling to be digitised, with data standardised across the board. This would give estate agents, mortgage lenders and conveyancers instant access to the required details. The use of conveyancing AI technology would further speed up processes, reducing time spent on administration and manual tasks. 

Digital property packs would also form part of increased upfront information, available fully populated with details, which may include title deeds, an EPC, planning permissions and warrantees, when the property comes to market. The ID verification process would also be streamlined so movers only have to show photo ID once. 

• Improving professional standards

Proposals suggest standards among estate and letting agents could be raised if there was a compulsory requirement for agents to hold a professional qualification. The Government would also like to introduce a new Code of Practice in estate agency, and make it easier for consumers to compare agents and conveyancers side-by-side using transparent data, track records and specialisms. 

The way forward

The Government is expected to publish its roadmap for the future of buying and selling this winter, together with a timeline for implementation. It would like to see reforms take effect during this Parliament, so before August 2029, although local pilots may see some areas test new methods and technology sooner.

Our goal is to get people moved into a new home and a previous property sold as quickly and simply as possible. We welcome the consultation process and look forward to contributing to a more efficient property market.