Proposed Reforms to the UK Home Buying and Selling Process
Proposed Reforms to the UK Home Buying and Selling Process
The UK Government has recently launched a consultation aimed at transforming how homes are bought and sold across England and Wales. The proposed reforms, announced in October 2025, are designed to tackle persistent issues in the property market such as long delays, transaction fall-throughs, and a lack of transparency by introducing measures that promote greater efficiency, trust, and consumer protection.
The Government estimates that these changes could reduce completion times by up to four weeks and halve the number of failed transactions, saving first-time buyers an average of £700.
Why are these reforms being proposed?
The home buying and selling process in the UK has long been criticised for being slow, unpredictable, and overly complex. Around one in three transactions currently fail before completion, often resulting in wasted time, emotional stress and financial loss.
The Government’s consultation aims to simplify the process by improving communication between buyers, sellers and their advisers, while promoting transparency and accountability across all parties involved. The goal is to make property transactions cheaper, quicker and less stressful for everyone.
Key proposals under the reform
- Upfront Property Information
Sellers and estate agents may soon be required to provide key information about a property at the point of listing. This includes details about the property’s condition, title, leasehold charges, and chain information. By providing this information earlier, the Government hopes to reduce duplication of searches, prevent late-stage surprises, and help buyers make better-informed decisions.
- Early Binding Agreements
The reforms include an option for buyers and sellers to enter into legally binding commitments earlier in the transaction process. This measure aims to reduce the risk of gazumping, gazundering, and chain collapses that are known to be the most common causes of failed sales in England and Wales by discouraging parties from walking away after offers have been accepted.
- Greater Use of Digital Tools
Digitalisation is a key element of the proposed reforms. The introduction of digital property logbooks, online ID verification, and data-sharing platforms could significantly streamline the conveyancing process. Digital “property packs” would store essential property information, allowing quicker access for conveyancers, lenders, and buyers.
- Stronger Regulation and Standards
The Government also plans to introduce mandatory qualifications and a Code of Practice for estate agents, letting agents, and managing agents. This would set clear minimum standards of professionalism, improve public trust, and provide consumers with better visibility of performance through published data such as transaction times and service ratings.
- Improved Consumer Transparency
To help consumers make better choices, the Government proposes publishing public information about the performance and qualifications of estate agents and conveyancers. This level of transparency is intended to empower buyers and sellers to select the best professionals for their transactions.
What impact could these reforms have?
If implemented, the Government estimates that the new measures could save the property market over £1.5 billion annually in failed transactions. While first-time buyers could save an average of £710, sellers might face higher upfront costs of around £310 due to early assessments and surveys. However, overall transaction costs could fall, especially for those in the middle of a chain.
The proposed measures mark a significant step towards modernising one of the UK’s most outdated transactional systems. They draw inspiration from Scotland’s more binding approach to property sales, where earlier disclosure and commitment help reduce transaction failures.
The consultation period is open until 29 December 2025, with a final implementation roadmap expected in early 2026.
Our perspective
At Lansdowne Law, our Real Estate team welcomes the Government’s initiative to bring greater efficiency and transparency to the property market. These reforms, if implemented effectively, have the potential to improve the experience for buyers, sellers, and professionals alike.
We are closely monitoring the outcome of the consultation and are ready to guide our clients through any changes that may follow. With deep expertise in residential and commercial property transactions, our team is well-positioned to help clients navigate the evolving legal landscape with confidence and clarity.