Government ministers are proposing changes to the homebuying process in the UK with the aim of reducing the time taken to purchase a home by four weeks. A key aspect of these proposals involves shifting some costs from buyers to sellers. This would require sellers and estate agents to provide essential information upfront, such as the condition of the property and any leasehold costs.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has stated that these changes aim to minimize last-minute collapses in property sales, estimating that first-time buyers could save an average of £710. The initiative began under former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who had committed to streamlining the housebuying process prior to her resignation last month.
The current housing secretary, Steve Reed, emphasized the importance of making home buying a more positive experience, indicating that the proposed reforms are intended to assist working individuals in progressing to the next stage of their lives. However, the government has not addressed how it plans to prevent sellers from passing on additional costs to first-time buyers through increased house prices.
The consultation process will encompass the entire UK, despite significant variations in homebuying procedures across different nations. For instance, there is no obligation in England and Wales for buyers to obtain a property survey, while sellers in Scotland must provide a “home report” before listing their property.
Additionally, the proposals will explore the possibility of allowing buyers and sellers to enter binding contracts to reduce the likelihood of failed transactions after extensive negotiations. The government anticipates that these measures could significantly lower the number of failed sales and help alleviate the stress associated with home buying, although legal processes differ considerably across regions, with England typically experiencing longer transaction times compared to Scotland.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/05/uk-ministers-aim-to-speed-up-homebuying-by-four-weeks