UK Government announces home buying and selling reform consultation

The UK Government has announced a consultation into the home buying and selling process - aiming to save both time and money for those involved in the process.

Around 1.2 million residential property transactions take place in the UK each year with support from estate agents, conveyancers, surveyors, mortgage lenders, and many others.

But the consultation highlights that there are inefficiencies in the process which can lead to transactions falling through and wasted costs on both the buying and selling sides.

The government's vision for the future is led by technology and would require the seller to provide more information up front such as energy ratings, council tax bands, leasehold information and potentially standard searches such as local authority, water drainage and mining details.

At Irwin Mitchell, we believe that providing upfront information is essential to improving transparency, reducing delays, and empowering consumers to make informed decisions. 

The proposed reforms—requiring sellers and agents to disclose key property details such as condition, leasehold terms, and flood risk at the point of listing—are a positive move toward a more efficient and trustworthy system.

We also strongly support the introduction of mandatory qualifications and a Code of Practice for estate agents. Regulation is not only necessary to implement these changes effectively, but also to ensure consistent standards across the industry and rebuild consumer confidence.

We look forward to engaging with the consultation and continuing to advocate for reforms that benefit buyers, sellers, and professionals alike.

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