Families and First-Time Buyers Could Save Time and Money Under Proposed Homebuying Reforms

Families and first-time buyers promised faster, fairer homebuying under government reforms

Families and first-time buyers are set to save time, money and stress under major changes to England’s homebuying system, as the government moves to tackle delays, uncertainty and a high number of failed transactions.

Unveiled on Friday 19 June 2026, the reforms are designed to make buying and selling a home quicker, cheaper and more transparent. Ministers say the package will cut average buying times by around four weeks, save first-time buyers an average of £650, and significantly reduce the number of sales that collapse part-way through the process.

The government argues the current system is slow and unfair, locking many people out of homeownership by forcing buyers to take on excessive risk. Official figures show the average home purchase takes around 120 days, with around one in three sales falling through – costing sellers about £400 million a year and the wider economy up to £1.5 billion annually.

Key information upfront

At the centre of the reforms is a requirement for sellers and estate agents to provide key information at the point a property is listed. These new “sales packs” would include details of a home’s condition, leasehold costs and chain status, giving buyers the information they need before making an offer.

The government says this will help buyers avoid nasty surprises later in the process, while allowing property professionals to progress transactions more quickly and creating a fairer, more transparent system overall.

Earlier commitment to stop deals collapsing

The proposals also introduce earlier binding agreements, designed to prevent buyers or sellers walking away months into negotiations without a legitimate reason. Ministers say this will give families and young people greater confidence, allowing them to plan their next steps without the risk of deals suddenly falling apart.

Raising standards in estate agency

Alongside changes to the transaction process, the government plans to introduce a new Code of Practice for estate agents and proposals for mandatory qualifications across the sector. There is currently no legal requirement for estate agents in England to hold professional qualifications.

The aim is to raise standards, improve consistency and rebuild trust, ensuring agents are properly equipped to support efficient, successful transactions.

Digitising the process

The reforms are underpinned by a wider push to reduce paperwork and embrace digital tools across the homebuying journey. By cutting duplication and delays, ministers say digitalisation will help the market move more quickly and reduce stress for buyers and sellers alike.

Industry perspective

While the government points to official estimates of a 120-day buying process, industry data suggests the reality can be even slower. According to Rightmove, the average transaction currently takes around 170 days, with more than one in five agreed sales falling through.

Johan Svanstrom, chief executive of Rightmove, has previously said that making more information available upfront and accelerating digitisation could play a key role in reducing fall-throughs and improving certainty for consumers, while warning that careful phasing and industry-wide adoption will be critical.

What happens next?

The measures announced are proposals rather than immediate changes to the law. Further detail on consultation, legislation and implementation will determine how quickly they are introduced and how much difference they make in practice.

For now, ministers say the reforms represent a decisive step towards a homebuying system that supports families and first-time buyers, reduces wasted time and money, and ensures the opportunity to own a home is not limited to those who can afford to take the biggest risks.