Are home-buying rules changing? Here’s what we know so far

Key summary: 

• The government is launching a consultation into home-moving legislation, as they look to speed up and simplify the current buying and selling process  

• They estimate the changes could save the average first-time buyer hundreds of pounds in moving costs, and reduce the time it takes to buy a home by around a month 

• The changes will also aim to prevent fall-throughs by having the option to make a sale legally binding earlier in the process 

What does the proposal say?

Here’s a quick look at the changes being proposed and what they might mean in practice. While nothing is certain right now, we’ve pulled out the possible impact on buyers and sellers, so you can get a feel for how the moving process could shift. 

Change:
Searches and surveys made available before a property listing is live

What this could mean:
Searches and surveys highlight the condition of a property, including any issues that might have financial implications for the buyer. Right now, these take place after a sale is agreed, and the hundreds of pounds these usually cost is covered by buyers. The changes would shift the costs to sellers, and ultimately allow buyers to see information about a home at the viewing stage, that they’d previously only see (and pay for) after having their offer accepted.  

Change:
Sellers would have to provide certain information about a property, or the circumstance of their sale

What this could mean:
This is designed to help buyers make informed decisions about a property they’re considering buying, early on in the process. This could include information around things like service charges, leasehold length, and information about the seller’s chain (if they’re part of one). You can read more about what these terms mean in our property jargon buster. Providing more information up front could prevent any unwelcome surprises further down the line for home-buyers, that might have influenced whether they offered (or how much they offered) on a property, had they had this information earlier. 

Change:
Use of more digital tools

What this could mean:
Of the seven months it takes on average to move right now, two of those months are spent agreeing a sale, while five of them are spent moving through the conveyancing process – which it’s hoped could be sped up through digitisation. Centralising and streamlining data through things like digital property logbooks and digital ID verification could streamline and ultimately speed up the process. The government is also proposing that homemovers could access digitised information about the performance of conveyancers and estate agents, to help them make informed decisions when selecting who’ll look after their purchase, or sale. 

Change:
Giving buyers and sellers the option to sign binding contracts

What this could mean:
Right now, a sale doesn’t becoming legally binding until exchange of contracts happens – which is usually at the very end of the conveyancing process. This means that either party can pull out of the sale with no financial repercussions (other than the costs lost to things like searches and surveys, if you’ve paid for them already). The government hopes to drastically reduce the number of fall-throughs by bringing a contract into the picture, earlier in the process. 

What does Rightmove think?

We welcome any changes that make the process simpler, quicker, and easier for everyone that’s looking to move. Our CEO, Johan Svanstrom, says: 

“Our latest average data shows people are spending seven long and often painful months to move home. We welcome the announcement today aiming to drive forward that much needed change and modernisation. The development of technology means transformation is possible, with the right collaboration and considerate planning. 

“The home-moving process involves many fragmented parts, and there’s simply too much uncertainty and costs along the way. We believe it’s important to listen to agents as the experts for what practical changes will be most effective, and we look forward to working with the government on this effort to improve the buying and selling process.” 

When could the changes come into effect?

As with all big changes to government policy, this won’t be something that happens overnight. As a first step, the government is planning to publish a full roadmap for the changes at the beginning of 2026. They’re also inviting members of the public who’ve experienced the buying and selling process to submit their views on the proposals, via their consultation form, which you can access here.