House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap
22 June 2026 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Proposed by Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government announces reforms to improve home buying and selling process in the UK
- Reforms include mandatory sales packs, raising industry standards, and digital property logbooks
- Measures aim to reduce delays, cut costs, and prevent failed transactions
Issue summary
The government is announcing reforms to improve the home buying and selling process in the UK.
Action requested
The government has published a roadmap outlining reforms to reduce delays, cut costs, and prevent failed transactions. These include mandatory sales packs with key information for buyers, raising industry standards, digital property logbooks, and earlier binding agreements. The measures aim to support first-time buyers and improve market confidence.
Key facts
- Government's reforms will reduce homebuying times by around four weeks.
- First-time buyers are set to save more than £200 million a year.
- Current process takes around 120 days on average, with one in three transactions failing.
- Sellers and estate agents must prepare sales packs providing key information upfront.
- New Code of Practice will be introduced for estate agents.
- Consultation on mandatory qualifications for estate agents proposed.
- Call for evidence to identify data-sharing barriers this year.
- Smart Data scheme consultation next year.
- Use of digital identity services and qualified electronic signatures required.