UK Government Proposes New Housing Reforms to Boost Sales and Transparency
Home sellers in the UK could soon be required to disclose issues such as damp or flooding risks under government plans aimed at streamlining property sales and reducing the number of transactions that fall through.
The proposed reforms would make property surveys more accessible to potential buyers, potentially allowing surveys already conducted on a home to be freely shared with other interested parties. Ministers hope this approach will speed up property transactions and increase market confidence, addressing delays that currently see the average time from accepted offer to completion stretch to around five months — significantly longer than in many other countries.
“We are focused on making the housing market faster, fairer, and more transparent,” said Housing Secretary Steve Reed. “Our mantra is ‘build, baby, build,’ and these reforms are a key step toward achieving that goal.”
The UK housing market faces ongoing challenges. The number of new homes built in England fell to 201,000 in the year to June 2025, an 8% decline from the previous year. However, there are positive signs: planning permissions for new homes outside London rose by 49% between January and June, suggesting strong future potential.
The government’s ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029 remains a critical priority. Making property information more transparent and reducing the likelihood of late-stage sales failures is expected to stimulate market activity, helping buyers and sellers navigate the housing process more efficiently.
Experts highlight that property transparency reforms could also enhance trust in the market and encourage investment, while giving buyers confidence in the condition of their prospective homes. Reducing delays and increasing access to survey information aligns with broader efforts to modernize the UK housing market, ensuring that the property sector contributes effectively to economic growth.
“Faster, more transparent house sales benefit everyone — buyers, sellers, and the broader property market,” said a spokesperson from a leading UK estate agency.
These proposed changes represent a significant step in the government’s strategy to revitalize the housing sector, cut unnecessary delays, and support sustainable growth in the property market. As policymakers move forward, both industry and buyers will be watching closely to see how the reforms are implemented and how they could reshape the UK housing landscape.
