Big changes could be on the horizon for anyone buying or selling a home in England and Wales.
The government has announced a consultation to review home-moving legislation, with the goal of making the process faster, simpler, and less stressful.
If the proposals go ahead, the changes could:
- Save first-time buyers hundreds of pounds in moving costs
- Cut around a month off the typical time it takes to buy a home
- Reduce the number of sales falling through before completion
Here’s a breakdown of what’s being discussed, and what it might mean for buyers and sellers like you.
Searches and Surveys Available Before Listing
What’s changing:
Searches and surveys could be made available before a property is listed for sale.
What that means:
Currently, buyers pay hundreds of pounds for searches and surveys after their offer is accepted. Under the proposed system, sellers would cover these costs upfront, making key information about the home available from the start.
Buyers would be able to see details about a property’s condition and any potential issues before making an offer, helping to avoid unwanted surprises and wasted expenses.
Sellers Required to Share More Information
What’s changing:
Sellers may need to provide more details about both the property and their own selling circumstances.
What that means:
This could include things like:
- Service charges
- Leasehold length
- Chain details (if they’re buying another property)
The aim is to give buyers all the facts they need early on, so they can make fully informed decisions about their offer, and avoid complications later in the process.
Greater Use of Digital Tools
What’s changing:
The home-moving process could become more digital and data-driven.
What that means:
At the moment, it takes around seven months on average to move, with two months spent agreeing a sale and five months in conveyancing. The government believes digital tools could help speed this up.
This might include:
- Digital property logbooks with all key information in one place
- Online ID verification for faster checks
- Digitised data on conveyancer and estate agent performance, helping movers choose the right professionals for their transaction
Earlier, Legally Binding Contracts
What’s changing:
Buyers and sellers could be given the option to enter binding contracts earlier in the process.
What that means:
Right now, a sale only becomes legally binding when contracts are exchanged, usually at the very end of conveyancing. Until then, either party can pull out with no financial penalties.
The government hopes that introducing binding agreements earlier could dramatically reduce fall-throughs, offering more certainty for everyone involved.
When Could These Home Buying Reforms Happen?
It’s still early days. The government plans to publish a full roadmap in early 2026, outlining how and when the reforms could be introduced.
In the meantime, they’re inviting members of the public who’ve recently bought or sold a home to share their experiences and opinions through an official consultation form. You can access this form here.
While these proposals are still under review, it’s clear the government is serious about improving how we buy and sell homes. Making the process more transparent, digital, and efficient could be a huge win for both buyers and sellers, saving time, stress, and money.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how these plans develop and what they could mean for the property market in the coming years. If you have questions, get in touch with your local branch.
