Home buying and selling reforms win strong industry support: what it means for you
The government’s home buying and selling reforms aim to make moving home faster and more certain. The plans include upfront sales packs, digital property logbooks, earlier binding contracts and a Code of Practice for estate agents.
Most of these changes will require new laws and are expected to be introduced in stages over the coming years. For now, the process of buying and selling a home in England and Wales remains largely unchanged, with the final details of the reforms still to be set out in law. However, if you’re planning a move, it’s helpful to understand what has been proposed and what it could mean for you in the future. Our residential conveyancing team is here to help.
Property professionals have responded positively to the proposed reforms. On 7 October 2026, Countrywide Surveying Services shared the results of a poll taken during an industry webinar, which found that 77% of respondents were confident the changes would improve the home buying and selling process. This included 18% who were very confident and 59% who were somewhat confident. By comparison, 21% were not very confident, while 2% thought the reforms would never happen. Support was also reflected in the government’s own consultation, where 79% of respondents backed the introduction of upfront property information.
Why the government is reforming home buying and selling
On average, it takes around 120 days to get from an accepted offer to completion. Around one in three sales fall through. The government estimates this costs buyers and sellers around £400 million a year in wasted fees. Its home buying and selling reform roadmap came out in June 2026. It sets out how the government plans to make moving faster and more certain.
What is proposed under the home buying and selling reforms
Upfront property information and sales packs
Under the plans, key facts about a home would be ready before it goes on the market. Conveyancers and surveyors are expected to help prepare it. The exact rules, who will do what and who will pay have not been decided yet. The aim is for buyers to have the facts before they make an offer, rather than weeks later. A sales pack is likely to include:
- Legal and title details from HM Land Registry.
- Property searches, such as local authority, drainage and environmental searches.
- A property condition report.
- Key facts such as tenure, council tax band, flood risk and any service charges.
Until the law changes, the government is working with the industry on what sellers can share now. Estate agents will also get new guidance on their legal duty to tell buyers about anything that could affect their decision.
Digital property logbooks
A digital property logbook is a secure online record of your home. You own it, and it is kept up to date over time. The government plans new laws to make logbooks and digital sales packs a standard part of every sale. From 2027, it will look at requiring them for government homeownership schemes. By 2028, it aims to move all local land charges records to a central HM Land Registry register. It is also working to make other council property records easier to get.
Earlier binding contracts
At the moment, a buyer or seller can pull out at any point before exchange of contracts. There is usually no penalty. The government plans to bring in binding conditional contracts. These would commit both sides earlier. Anyone pulling out without good reason could face a penalty fee. There would be exceptions for genuine reasons, such as a property chain collapsing. The exact exceptions, penalties and ways to settle disputes are still to be decided. The government has said these contracts would only start once sales packs are fully in place. In the meantime, it is encouraging people to use reservation agreements, which are optional.
The estate agent Code of Practice
The government plans to publish a Code of Practice for estate agents later in 2026. It will set out the minimum standards agents should meet. At first it will be guidance rather than law, but it could become legally binding in future. In 2027, the government will also consult on whether estate and letting agents should hold set qualifications. A Home Buying and Selling Charter, setting out good practice for property professionals, is planned too.
Other changes for buyers and sellers
- Joined-up identity and money laundering checks, so you are less likely to be asked for the same documents twice.
- More use of digital ID and secure electronic signatures.
- Planned limits on the fees and waiting times for the information leaseholders need to sell, with the detailed rules still to be agreed.
Timeline for the reforms
| Stage | Key actions |
|---|---|
| Now (2026) | Guidance on what listings should include, sales pack details sellers can share now, a Code of Practice for agents and more use of reservation agreements. |
| Next (2027 to 2028) | An advisory Charter, a consultation on agent qualifications, wider use of digital ID and logbooks, and work on contract penalties and leasehold information. |
| Future (planned before the end of this Parliament) | New laws for sales packs before listing, binding contracts once sales packs are in place and digital logbooks as standard. |
What the home buying and selling reforms mean for you now
If you are selling
You can give your sale a strong start today, without waiting for the new rules. When selling a property, we suggest you:
- Instruct your conveyancer when you put your home on the market, rather than after you accept an offer.
- Fill in your property forms early and answer every question fully.
- Gather certificates, guarantees and any planning or building regulations approvals.
- If your home is leasehold, ask your freeholder or managing agent for the management pack straight away.
If you are buying
Buyers can also take simple steps to avoid delays. When buying a property, it helps to:
- Read the key facts in the listing and raise any concerns before you make an offer.
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle and have your ID and proof of funds ready.
- Instruct your solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted.
- Speak to a solicitor before you sign a reservation agreement, so you know what you are agreeing to.
How Fosters Solicitors can help
Buying or selling a home involves a number of moving parts, and keeping a transaction on track often comes down to being well prepared and having the right support in place. Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up the property ladder or selling a property, our Residential Property team can guide you through the process with clear, practical advice from start to finish.
We can help you prepare your paperwork early, explain any legal issues that arise and keep you updated throughout your transaction. As the proposed reforms develop, we can also help you understand what the changes may mean for your move.
Contact our Residential Property team in Norwich, Lowestoft and Wymondham for a conveyancing quote or an informal discussion about your plans.
Frequently asked questions
When will the home buying and selling reforms come into force?
The changes will come in stages. Guidance and a Code of Practice for agents are due in 2026, with consultations in 2027 and 2028. New laws on sales packs, binding contracts and digital logbooks are planned before the end of this Parliament, if parliamentary time allows.
Will sellers have to pay for an upfront sales pack?
The government plans to require sales packs, including searches and a property condition report, before a home is listed. This could mean sellers paying some costs earlier. The detailed rules and costs have not been confirmed yet.
What is a digital property logbook?
It is a secure online record of information about a home, such as title details, past building work and certificates. The homeowner owns it and can share it with buyers and professionals when they sell.
Can I still pull out of a property purchase before exchange?
Yes. Under the current law in England and Wales, a buyer or seller can pull out before exchange of contracts. Binding conditional contracts would only apply once new laws are passed and sales packs are fully in place.
Do the reforms change the conveyancing process today?
Not yet, as most of the changes need new laws. You can still benefit now by instructing a conveyancer early and getting your documents ready in advance.
This article was produced on the 26th October 2026 for information purposes only and should not be construed or relied upon as specific legal advice.
