The UK government’s new home buying and selling roadmap aims to overhaul property transactions by 2029, focusing on digital, upfront information to reduce delays and fall-throughs.
Meaningful reform must benefit agents & consumers
The proposal mentions upfront information, stronger professional standards, digitalisation, improved data sharing, and greater commitment from buyers and sellers. However, success will depend on implementation.
Professional agents are pivotal to compliant and efficient property transactions. They must not be left carrying responsibility for information that sits with sellers, conveyancers, surveyors, lenders, freeholders, managing agents, estate managers, or local authorities.
Implementation timetable
The proposal is split into three stages.
- In 2026, guidance on information in property listings and a Code of Practice for property agents will be published. The UK Government will explore training and skills development, build readiness for binding contracts, improve access to local authority property data, and publish a call for evidence on a smart data scheme for the property sector.
- In 2027 and 2028– set out expectations and behaviours for property professionals and consultation will take place on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents and leasehold and freehold estates sales information legislation. The UK Government will support uptake of digital identity, Qualified Electronic Signatures, and digital logbooks and packs, consult on penalty fee structures for binding contracts, create a voluntary accreditation scheme for data standards, and consult on a smart data scheme.
- By the end of this Parliament (2029), the UK Government intends to introduce legislation to require sales packs before listing, including searches and a property condition report; require binding conditional contracts once sales packs are embedded; and support secure data sharing so digital sales packs and logbooks become a standard feature of property transactions.
Upfront information and sales packs
One of the most significant changes is the move towards mandatory sales packs before a property is listed.
Sellers and estate agents will have to provide key information upfront, including details about a home’s condition and leasehold costs. The aim is to stop critical information emerging only after an offer has been accepted, when buyers and sellers have already spent time and money. Ahead of legislation, the UK Government will work with industry to identify information that can be provided voluntarily now.
Ted Hoskins Ltd supports the principle of better upfront information.
Agents and sellers should not be expected to identify or verify complex legal or technical issues without input from qualified professionals. Earlier involvement from conveyancers, surveyors and other specialists will be essential.
As a trusted, family-run agent in Battersea, Ted Hoskins helps landlords and sellers navigate these upcoming changes to ensure compliance and efficiency. For expert advice on letting agent in Battersea services and to stay ahead of the 2026 Code of Practice, contact our experienced team @ Ted Hoskins Ltd
