Proposed reforms to residential conveyancing: what the Government is consulting on and what it could mean for you
On 6 October, the Government launched a consultation on reforming residential conveyancing in England and Wales. The proposals aim to make property transactions faster, more transparent and more reliable.
In brief, the Government believes the changes could save buyers around £710 on average for the cost of the purchase and cut completion times by approximately four weeks. Below is a clear summary of what is being considered, why it matters, and practical implications for sellers, buyers, estate agents and conveyancers.
What is being proposed?
Upfront information for property listings
Sellers would be required to provide key information at the outset, with estate agents including it in property listings. It is expected that key details will be included such as:
- tenure, council tax band, EPC rating and property type, and;
- legal and transactional details i.e. title information, seller ID verification, leasehold terms and building safety data.
It is possible that this information may be expanded standard searches, TA6 property information, property condition assessment, service charges, planning consents, flood risk, chain status and a clear floor plan.
The rational for introducing this requirement is to address challenges around trust, reliance and outdated information. This revisits and extends the scope of the former Home Information Pack approach.
A new code of practice and mandatory qualifications for agents
A code of practice for all residential property agents is proposed, to include estate agents and managing agents. The Government is also considering mandatory qualifications, building on earlier consultation responses in relation to regulation of managing agents.
Digitising property information
Introduction of digital property logbooks and packs to make data more secure, reliable and readily available. The Government considers that new build homes are an obvious starting point for trialling this system as many developers will have access to this information to readily digitise it. The aim will ultimately be for wider adoption across all transactions.
Earlier binding contracts
Exploring binding agreements at a much earlier stage, similar to Scotland where only around 9% of transactions reportedly fall through.
Transparency about agent and conveyancer performance
Publication of information on specialisms, performance (speed and quality) and processes (including use of digital practices).
Streamlined AML checks and use of AI
The Government is seeking views on how best to simplify anti-money laundering checks and use artificial intelligence. There is no clear proposal at this point and it appears the Government will consider the responses before moving forward on this aspect.
Why is this being considered?
According to the consultation, many transactions suffer from delays, incomplete or outdated information and a lack of trust between parties. The proposals are intended to give buyers and sellers clearer information earlier, reduce the risk of fall-throughs, improve efficiency through digitisation and standardise professional standards.
What this could mean for you
Sellers
- Expect more preparatory work before listing, including collecting legal and technical information.
- Potential benefits include fewer surprises later, shorter transaction timelines and a reduced risk of the sale falling through.
Buyers
- Greater visibility of key information upfront should support better decision making and may reduce wasted costs and time.
- Earlier commitment stages could provide more certainty, albeit with the need to be clear on contingencies.
Estate agents
- Likely to have clearer data requirements at listing stage and to comply with a new code of practice and qualifications.
- Digitisation and transparency measures may require investment in systems and training.
Conveyancers
- Earlier, standardised information could streamline review and due diligence.
- Greater transparency around performance and digital capability may influence client expectations and market dynamics.
Timeline and next steps
The consultation is open and closes on 29 December 2025. Final details will depend on responses and subsequent Government decisions. For now, these proposals are not yet law, but there is cautious optimism in the market about their potential.
Conclusion
The consultation signals a significant push towards earlier, clearer information, greater standardisation and digitisation in residential conveyancing. While the details still need to be worked through, the direction of travel is towards faster, more reliable transactions with improved transparency and professional standards.