What the Home Moving Reforms Mean for Property Professionals

The home buying and selling process is on the brink of major change.
The government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform Consultation, launched in October 2025, aims to make moving home faster, fairer, and more digital — but it also has far-reaching implications for the professionals who make it all happen.

Whether you’re an estate agent, conveyancer, surveyor, or mortgage adviser, these reforms will influence how you work, how clients experience your services, and how data moves through the system.

A Shift Toward a More Transparent, Data-Led Market

At the heart of the proposals are three major shifts:

1. Requiring upfront information – Sellers will need to gather and publish a consistent set of verified property data before listing, including legal and condition details.

2. Introducing digital property logbooks – A standardised, secure way to store and share verified property information across all stakeholders.

3. Professionalising the property sector – A new Code of Practice and potential qualification requirements for estate, letting, and managing agents, alongside greater consumer transparency.

For professionals, this means a transition from fragmented, paper-based processes to a shared, data-rich ecosystem — one where collaboration and interoperability become essential.

The Implications for Property Professionals

The CABE background paper summarising the consultation highlights both opportunities and challenges across the sector:

1. Earlier involvement and workflow changes

Information gathering will move earlier in the transaction.
Professionals who adapt to this shift — by engaging clients pre-listing, collaborating across disciplines, and investing in digital data tools — will be best positioned to thrive.

2. Increased demand for trusted expertise

With more information disclosed upfront, consumers will rely even more on qualified professionals to interpret it.
That means agents, surveyors, and conveyancers will need to clearly define their services, manage expectations, and communicate findings with clarity and context.

3. New digital competencies

Digital identity verification, structured data exchange, and integration with property platforms will become the norm.
Professionals will need to understand data standards, interoperability, and digital security — ensuring information remains accurate, compliant, and safely shared.

4. Managing risk and liability

Earlier data sharing also increases scrutiny.
Condition assessments, leasehold data, or legal disclosures will all be relied upon earlier in the process, meaning professionals must be confident in their scope, limitations, and disclaimers.
Clear documentation and communication will be key to reducing risk.

5. Stronger collaboration across disciplines

The reforms promote joined-up working. Surveyors, agents, conveyancers, and lenders will need to align on data standards (such as BASPI) and systems (like digital logbooks and UPRNs).
This presents a chance to streamline communication and build trust across the chain — ultimately improving the consumer experience.

Opportunities Ahead

While the proposals may feel ambitious, they represent real opportunities for innovation and better working practices.

• Estate agents can position themselves as trusted advisers, helping sellers prepare upfront information that inspires buyer confidence.

• Conveyancers can adopt digital workflows to reduce delays and create smoother client journeys.

• Surveyors and valuers can offer early-stage assessments that inform both sellers and buyers.

• Lenders and brokers can use verified digital data to improve lending decisions and speed up approvals.

Professionals who embrace transparency and technology will not only comply with new standards — they’ll lead the way in building a more resilient property market.

A More Professional, Consumer-Focused Industry

The consultation also explores how government and regulators can strengthen the professionalism of the sector through qualification requirements and a new Code of Practice.
Consumers will have clearer information about who they’re working with, and firms demonstrating high standards will stand out in a competitive market.

HBSC supports these moves as part of a wider effort to build public confidence and ensure the home moving process is both fair and efficient.

What Happens Next

The consultation is open until 29 December 2025, with government responses expected in spring 2026 and early implementation trials starting later that year.

As the cross-sector voice for reform, the HBSC continues to bring together trade associations, regulators, and practitioners to ensure these changes are practical, evidence-based, and beneficial to both professionals and consumers.

Have Your Say

Take part in the government consultation before 29 December 2025:
Respond now on GOV.UK 

Learn More
Explore the Home Moving Reform Toolkit and see how HBSC is supporting collaboration across the industry.
Visit the Toolkit