12 June 2026
A Simpler Way To Move Home Could Be On The Horizon
by Dee Quealy
Buying or selling a home should be exciting. Yet for many people, the experience can feel slow, uncertain and far more stressful than it needs to be.
The Government has now published a roadmap designed to modernise the home-moving process. The proposals include more property information upfront, greater use of digital technology, earlier binding agreements and higher professional standards for estate agents.
At Quealy & Co, we welcome many of these proposals. They address frustrations that buyers, sellers and property professionals have faced for years and could create a faster, clearer and more reliable way to move home.
Property Sales Packs Before Marketing
One of the most significant proposed changes is the introduction of a property sales pack prepared before a home is listed.
The Government intends these packs to include important information such as property searches and a condition report. Other relevant details could include tenure, planning restrictions, flood risk and leasehold charges.
Giving buyers this information earlier should help them make better-informed decisions before committing time and money. It may also reduce the risk of unexpected issues emerging after an offer has been accepted.
Although legislation is not yet in place, the Government plans to work with the industry to identify information sellers can begin providing voluntarily.
Earlier Binding Agreements
Under the current system in England and Wales, buyers and sellers are generally free to withdraw until contracts are exchanged. When this happens late in a transaction, it can cause considerable financial and emotional strain throughout the chain.
The Government intends to introduce binding conditional contracts once sales packs have been properly tested and established. These agreements would demonstrate a clearer commitment to proceed while still allowing someone to withdraw for legitimate reasons.
The finer details are still being developed, but the aim is to provide greater certainty and reduce avoidable last-minute fall-throughs.
A More Digital Moving Process
Documents currently pass between estate agents, solicitors, surveyors, lenders, managing agents and local authorities. When information is stored in different systems or still handled on paper, delays and duplication can quickly arise.
Digital property logbooks and sales packs could allow trusted information to be accessed securely by the professionals involved, making it easier to follow a transaction’s progress.
The reforms will also support digital identity checks, qualified electronic signatures and appropriate uses of AI within conveyancing. Anti-Money Laundering checks could become more joined-up too, reducing the need for buyers and sellers to provide the same information repeatedly.
Higher Professional Standards
The Government plans to introduce a non-statutory Code of Practice for property agents in 2026, followed by consultation on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents in 2027.
Estate agency is an important professional service, yet there is currently no universal requirement for every agent to hold a formal qualification. Raising minimum standards should help consumers feel more confident about the knowledge, conduct and support they can expect.
Quealy & Co already meets the proposed qualification standards, so our clients can be confident that their move is being managed by an experienced and professionally supported team.
When Will The Changes Happen?
The reforms will be introduced gradually.
Guidance on property listings and a new Code of Practice are expected during 2026. Further work on digital tools, industry standards and qualifications is planned for 2027 and 2028.
By the end of the current Parliament, the Government intends to legislate for sales packs, binding conditional contracts and secure digital property information, subject to parliamentary time.
These changes will not transform the process overnight, but they provide a clear direction of travel.
What Is Quealy & Co Already Doing?
Dee Quealy, owner of Quealy & Co, explains:
“At Quealy & Co, we are committed to staying ahead of these changes so that we can provide a smoother and more efficient experience for our clients.
“We are already using digital signatures and gathering comprehensive property information before homes are marketed. We are also adopting digital Anti-Money Laundering checks that can be shared securely with solicitors and mortgage lenders.
“Local searches are moving online too, which should help reduce delays that can sometimes take several weeks. Importantly, we already meet the proposed qualification standards for estate agents, giving our clients confidence in a professional and well-supported service throughout their move.”
Questions To Ask Before You Move
While the reforms are being introduced, buyers and sellers must continue working within the existing system. Good preparation can still make a considerable difference.
Could Any Issues Or Costs Arise Later?
Buyers should ask about previous structural problems, repairs, insurance claims and the age of the roof, boiler, windows and electrics. Ongoing service charges, maintenance costs or estate fees should also be understood.
Sellers should disclose relevant information and gather guarantees, certificates, planning documents and paperwork for completed work as early as possible.
Why Is The Property Being Sold?
Understanding the seller’s circumstances can help buyers assess likely timescales. Is the seller still searching, already under offer or moving somewhere without an onward chain?
Sellers should be open about their position so expectations can be managed throughout the transaction.
What Is Happening In The Local Area?
Buyers should research proposed developments, transport links, schools, amenities, parking and noise. Visiting at different times of day can provide a more complete picture of the neighbourhood.
For buyers in North Kent, an experienced local estate agent can offer valuable context that may not be obvious from the property listing alone.
Am I Ready To Proceed?
Buyers should ideally have a mortgage agreement in principle, proof of funds and a solicitor ready before making an offer.
Sellers can prepare by instructing a solicitor early and gathering the documents required for the sale. Being ready to proceed strengthens your position and helps prevent avoidable delays.
Is The Asking Price Realistic?
Buyers should consider recently sold properties, current competition and whether the home’s condition supports its asking price.
Sellers need an accurate valuation based on local evidence and current demand. An ambitious asking price can discourage early interest, while appropriate pricing can help create momentum from the beginning.
The Golden Rule: Prepare Early And Communicate Clearly
Whether you are buying or selling, preparation and communication remain two of the most effective ways to keep a transaction moving.
Respond promptly, provide accurate information and raise concerns as soon as they emerge. No system can remove every complication, but these simple steps can make moving home considerably smoother.
Thinking Of Selling Your North Kent Home?
If you are considering a move, Quealy & Co can help you prepare your property, understand its current market value and put the right strategy in place from day one.
Book your free, no-obligation property valuation in Kent:
https://www.quealy.co.uk/properties-valuation
Alternatively, call 01795 429836 or email hello@quealy.co.uk to speak with our local team.
Source: UK Government Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, June 2026
