The government has announced plans to reform home moving regulations in an effort to make buying and selling property faster, cheaper, and more secure. The proposed changes could cut moving costs for first time buyers by hundreds of pounds while reducing the overall timeline by approximately one month. Here are some of the changes being proposed.
Early access to property information
Under current rules, buyers pay for surveys and property searches only after making an offer. The new system would require sellers to conduct these assessments upfront, making the results available during viewings. This shift transfers costs to sellers but gives buyers crucial information about a property’s condition before committing to an offer.
Mandatory seller disclosures
Home sellers would need to provide comprehensive details about their property from the start, including service charges, lease terms, and information about any property chain they’re involved in. This transparency aims to eliminate surprises that might otherwise derail transactions later in the process or lead buyers to reconsider their offers.
Digital transformation
Currently, the average move takes seven months—two months to agree on a sale and five months for conveyancing. The government hopes digitalisation will accelerate this timeline significantly. Proposed tools include digital property logbooks, electronic identity verification, and online databases showing performance ratings for conveyancers and estate agents.
Earlier Binding Contracts
Perhaps the most significant change is determining when sales become legally binding. Currently, either party can withdraw without penalty until contracts are exchanged which happens near the end of the process. The reforms would introduce the option for entering into a binding agreement earlier, potentially preventing the costly fall-throughs that plague the current system.
What’s Next?
Industry leaders have expressed support for reforms that address the “fragmented” nature of home moving. The government plans to release a detailed implementation roadmap in early 2026 and is currently seeking feedback from the public through a consultation process. If you would like to express your views, you can do so via the government’s consultation form.
While any changes would not happen immediately, they may perhaps speed up a process that many find frustratingly slow and expensive.