Mannleys Market Update – June 2026 - Proposed Homebuying Reforms
Welcome to this month’s property market update from Mannleys Sales & Lettings. Here’s a roundup of where things stand right now — and what to keep an eye on in the coming months.
What proposed homebuying reforms could mean for buyers and sellers
Buying or selling a home should be exciting, but for many people the process can feel slow, uncertain and stressful. Delays, missing information, legal hold-ups and sales falling through can leave both buyers and sellers frustrated, out of pocket and unsure where they stand.
The Government has now proposed major reforms to make the homebuying and selling process faster, clearer and more secure. The plans include more information being provided upfront, greater use of digital tools, digital identity checks, electronic signatures, stronger professional standards and the possible introduction of earlier binding agreements.
But what could these changes actually mean for buyers and sellers?
For buyers, the biggest benefit should be greater clarity from the start. Under the proposed reforms, sellers and estate agents would be expected to provide key information earlier in the process, potentially through upfront sales packs. This could include important details about the property, leasehold costs, condition and chain position.
That means buyers should be able to make better informed decisions before committing time and money. Rather than discovering important issues weeks into the transaction, more of the essential information should be available at the point of listing. This could help reduce nasty surprises, wasted costs and the disappointment of a sale falling through late in the process.
For sellers, the reforms could help create a smoother and more reliable sale. By preparing more information before a property goes to market, sellers can reduce delays once an offer is accepted. Solicitors, lenders and buyers can begin their work with fewer gaps, meaning fewer hold-ups and a better chance of keeping the transaction moving.
This is particularly important in a chain. The longer a sale takes, the greater the risk that circumstances change. Buyers may lose confidence, mortgage offers may need revisiting, other linked sales may collapse, and what once looked like a straightforward move can quickly become uncertain.
Aaron Manley, Director of Mannleys Sales & Lettings, said:
“As a director, I’ve watched average transaction times creep from around eight to twelve weeks to closer to sixteen to eighteen weeks over the years. That’s not just frustrating for buyers and sellers — it costs deals. Chains collapse, circumstances change, and confidence erodes the longer a sale drags on.
That’s why we’ve already made changes to how we work at Mannleys — better upfront information, digital ID checks, and digital contracts — because we don’t want to wait for legislation to do the right thing.
These reforms are a step in the right direction. If earlier binding agreements and stronger upfront disclosure become the norm across the industry, we should be able to get back to the kind of timescales that actually work for everyone. I’d welcome that.”
One of the most important messages for sellers is that preparation matters. A successful sale does not begin when an offer is accepted. It begins before the property is even launched.
A proactive estate agent will help identify what information is needed at the start, guide sellers through compliance checks, ensure marketing details are accurate, and encourage early preparation so that the transaction has the best possible chance of progressing smoothly.
At Mannleys Sales & Lettings, we have already taken this approach. We ask for greater property information upfront, carry out digital ID verification and anti-money laundering checks, use digital contracts, and provide regular training for our team. These steps are designed to reduce avoidable delays, improve transparency and give our clients a more professional and efficient service.
For buyers, choosing an agent who values upfront information can provide more confidence in the property they are viewing.
For sellers, it can mean fewer delays, fewer avoidable questions later in the process, and a stronger chance of reaching completion.
Earlier binding agreements could also have a major impact if introduced carefully and fairly. Once buyers have access to the right information upfront, a stronger commitment from both sides could help reduce the number of sales collapsing without good reason. This would give buyers and sellers greater certainty and help prevent wasted time, money and emotional stress.
However, these reforms will only work well if the industry is prepared. Estate agents will play a vital role in helping sellers get ready, making sure information is accurate, adopting digital processes and maintaining high professional standards.
Choosing the right estate agent has therefore never been more important. A proactive agent does more than list a property and wait for offers. They prepare, advise, problem-solve and help keep the sale moving from the very beginning.
The proposed reforms are a welcome step towards a more modern, transparent and reliable property market. For buyers and sellers, the message is clear: the more prepared everyone is at the start, the better the chance of a successful move.
At Mannleys Sales & Lettings, we welcome any changes that make moving home faster, clearer and less stressful — and we will continue to lead from the front by doing what we believe is right for our clients.