Overview

• Sellers and estate agents would have to provide more information at listing, including condition reports and searches, to cut delays and reduce failed sales.
• Binding contracts are proposed at an earlier stage to give buyers and sellers certainty sooner and limit chain collapses.
• Officials estimate the changes could remove four weeks from the average five‑month process and save first‑time buyers about £710.
• Sellers could face roughly £310 in new upfront costs, with those mid‑chain potentially seeing a net £400 saving once lower buying expenses are counted.
• Wider use of digital processes such as digital ID is encouraged, drawing on examples from Finland and Scotland, as Rightmove, Zoopla, Santander and Nationwide express support and Conservatives warn against a repeat of Home Information Packs.