Lesley Horton, the UK’s Chief Property Ombudsman, said:

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to reforming the home buying and selling process and we’re pleased to see a number of measures that have the potential to deliver a more transparent, efficient and consumer-focused system.

For too long, buyers and sellers have faced uncertainty, delays and avoidable transaction failures. These reforms represent an important opportunity to improve confidence at every stage of the process.

We recognise that the proposals, if fully implemented, will change expectations on sellers in particular. Consumers will need support in understanding those new expectations, and therefore there will be an increased role for Estate Agents to support sellers and buyers through the process.

The introduction of greater upfront information will help consumers make more informed decisions earlier and reduce the risk of transactions collapsing further down the line. Buyers should be able to rely on accurate, accessible and meaningful information when making one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives, and these changes are a positive step towards achieving that.

We are also encouraged by proposals to strengthen professional standards across the property sector. This will be even more important so that agents can provide appropriate advice to consumers through the process. Consumers rightly expect those involved in the home buying and selling process to demonstrate competence, accountability and professionalism. Raising standards and ensuring consistency across the sector will help build trust, improve outcomes for consumers and enable the successful implementation of the proposals over the longer term.

The wider focus on digitalisation, including the use of digital property information and measures designed to streamline transactions, has the potential to modernise a process that many consumers still find frustratingly complex.

If implemented carefully and supported by clear guidance and appropriate training, these reforms can create a home buying and selling system that is faster, fairer and better equipped to meet the needs of consumers in the years ahead.”