UK Government Launches Plan to Speed Up Home Buying

The Government of the United Kingdom unveiled the Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap on June 19, 2026, to modernize the property market in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The plan aims to reduce average transaction times by approximately four weeks and save first-time buyers an estimated £650. Central to the reform is the introduction of mandatory sales packs containing property condition, leasehold costs, and chain status provided at the point of listing to prevent late-stage collapses.

To eliminate gazumping and uncertainty, the government will introduce legally binding conditional contracts earlier in the process, with financial penalties for parties who withdraw without a valid reason. The modernization includes a transition to digital infrastructure, featuring AI-assisted conveyancing, electronic signatures, digital identity checks, and property logbooks. These measures will not extend to Scotland, which utilizes a separate framework.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Housing Secretary Steve Reed characterized the current system as a nightmare of delays that leaves families in limbo. The reforms received backing from industry leaders including Zoopla, Rightmove, and Nationwide Building Society. Implementation will be phased, beginning with a new code of practice for estate agents later in 2026, followed by consultations on mandatory agent qualifications in 2027, and concluding with full legislation by the end of the current Parliament.