Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Government Roadmap Sets Out Reforms for Faster Home Buying and Selling

The government has published a home buying and selling reform roadmap, outlining plans to improve transaction times and reliability. The roadmap centres on upfront information, digital property data, higher standards, and, in time, more binding commitments between buyers and sellers.

The Conveyancing Association has described the roadmap as a positive and important step. According to the report, the current process often leaves buyers, sellers, advisers, lenders, estate agents, and conveyancers facing delays and uncertainty due to late-arriving key information. The government’s consultation received positive responses from all sectors regarding earlier access to information, leading ministers to approve the reforms.

Focus on Upfront Information

A key proposal in the reforms is the introduction of more comprehensive upfront information, including sales packs, property searches, and condition reports before a property is listed. The report notes that many transaction delays are caused by issues such as title matters, leasehold costs, estate charges, building safety, missing consents, search issues, and chain problems, which are often discovered too late in the process.

For conveyancers, earlier access to information means earlier risk identification. The reforms do not change the responsibilities of conveyancers but allow them to carry out their existing roles earlier and with better information. Reviewing title, ordering searches, and advising on risk remain core parts of the process, but more of this work will be moved to the start of the transaction.

Impact on Advisers and Lenders

The report highlights that transaction delays affect client confidence, pipeline certainty, offer periods, completion dates, and the overall advice process for mortgage advisers. Delays can lead to client frustration, wasted applications, and less certainty for all parties involved. The reforms aim to support better client outcomes by ensuring information is available earlier, reducing surprises and wasted effort.

Not a Return to HIPs

The report addresses comparisons between the proposed sales packs and previous Home Information Packs (HIPs), stating that the reforms are not a return to paper-based packs. Instead, the changes are part of a broader digital transformation, including secure property data and digital logbooks.