UK Government Plans to Cut Homebuying Time by Four Weeks in Major Housing Market Reform
The UK government has unveiled new proposals to speed up the homebuying process by up to four weeks, as part of an ambitious overhaul designed to make purchasing a property faster, fairer, and more transparent.
Under the reforms, ministers aim to shift key upfront costs and responsibilities from buyers to sellers, compelling sellers and estate agents to provide critical information — such as the property’s condition, energy efficiency, and any leasehold charges — before a home is listed for sale.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the proposals are intended to help “end nasty surprises” that lead to collapsed sales and financial losses. The department estimates that first-time buyers could save an average of £710 under the new system.
“Buying a home should be a dream, not a nightmare,” said Steve Reed, the newly appointed Housing Secretary. “Our reforms will fix a broken system so hardworking people can move forward with confidence. Through our ‘Plan for Change’, we’re putting more money back into people’s pockets and making home ownership simpler, quicker, and less stressful.”
The initiative was first developed under former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who resigned last month amid a stamp duty policy dispute. Rayner originally pledged in February to streamline the homebuying process, which currently takes an average of five months from offer to completion.
The government’s UK-wide consultation will also explore the introduction of binding pre-contract agreements, designed to reduce the number of failed transactions. The Ministry said the move could halve the number of collapsed sales, saving buyers and sellers from wasted time, money, and emotional strain.
While the measures would apply across the UK, the homebuying process varies by nation.
- In England and Wales, sellers are not legally required to provide surveys or reports before listing, leaving buyers to commission their own.
- In Scotland, however, sellers must already produce a comprehensive Home Report before marketing a property — a model some industry experts have called on Westminster to replicate.
Industry commentators have cautiously welcomed the proposals but raised questions over how to prevent sellers from offsetting additional upfront costs through higher asking prices.
The reforms are part of the government’s broader commitment to modernise the housing market, improve consumer confidence, and support first-time buyers amid ongoing affordability challenges.
