The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a significant package of reforms, shaped in collaboration with industry, designed to transform the home buying and selling process in England and Wales. For conveyancers, solicitors and legal professionals working in residential property, the changes signal a clear shift in how transactions will be structured, with implications for how cases are prepared, managed and progressed.
The reforms follow extensive industry consultation and set out a roadmap for transforming the way property information is collected, shared and utilised across the transaction chain.
Earlier information, fewer late-stage surprises
At the heart of the reforms is a straightforward objective: ensuring that buyers, sellers and legal professionals have access to better quality information earlier in the transaction.
The Government has acknowledged that the current process is too fragmented, frequently resulting in avoidable delays, duplicated enquiries and transactions collapsing at late stages — challenges that will be familiar to anyone working in residential conveyancing.
The proposed changes aim to address this through:
- Mandatory upfront property information provided in sales packs
- Increased use of digital, reusable property data
- Improved digital verification and identity processes
- More consistent standards across the property sector
- A more connected, digital process
What’s being proposed?
The headline proposal is the introduction of mandatory sales packs, requiring sellers to collate key property information before marketing begins. For legal professionals, the significance lies in what that information will cover including:
- Title and ownership information
- Seller identity verification
- Property searches and condition assessments
- Leasehold information and service charges
- Planning consents, flood risk and building safety data
- EPC ratings, council tax information and floor plans
The aim is to surface issues earlier in the process, reducing the volume of enquiries raised post-instruction and giving legal professionals a more complete picture from the outset.
What does this mean for conveyancers and solicitors?
Chris Loaring at Landmark Legal
“The Government’s response marks a meaningful step towards improving a process that has remained too slow, uncertain and fragmented. By prioritising upfront information, digitalisation and earlier commitment between parties, these reforms can significantly reduce delays and fall‑throughs that currently undermine confidence across the market. Crucially, this must include greater access to property risk data at the outset of a transaction. When buyers, lenders and conveyancers are working from a verified view of factors such as flood risk, climate exposure and land use constraints, decisions can be made earlier and with far greater certainty. If the industry aligns around consistent, trusted data standards, we have an opportunity to create a more transparent, efficient and resilient transaction process that better supports home movers and property professionals alike.”
In practical terms, earlier access to structured property information should mean:
- Fewer enquiries raised on missing or incomplete information
- Earlier identification of title, leasehold or planning issues
- Reduced duplication across the transaction chain
- Greater certainty for clients and less risk of late fall-throughs
- More time spent on complex legal work rather than chasing information
How the reforms will be rolled out
These changes will not happen overnight. The Government has outlined a clear roadmap:
Later in 2026 – A new Code of Practice for property agents and guidance to improve the quality of information in property listings
From 2027 – Consultation on estate agent qualifications and expansion of digital tools and trusted digital verification
By the end of Parliament – Legislation requiring sales packs, more binding transaction commitments and broader digital property information initiatives
There are no immediate mandatory changes for legal professionals today, but the direction is set and firms that prepare early will be well placed to adapt.
Looking ahead
At Landmark Information Group, we have worked closely with Government throughout this process and will continue to support the legal sector with the trusted data, search solutions and digital tools needed as these reforms develop.
We will monitor developments closely and provide further guidance as additional details emerge.