What is the Government’s homebuying reform proposal for October 2025?

The reform aims to make the property buying and selling process faster, cheaper, and more transparent. Key proposals include more upfront information, earlier binding agreements, and greater use of digital conveyancing systems.

How might earlier binding agreements affect buyers and sellers?

While earlier binding agreements could reduce fall-throughs, they may also shorten the time available for due diligence. This could limit opportunities for thorough legal checks, which are vital to protecting clients.

What does 'upfront information' mean in conveyancing?

Upfront information refers to legal and property details prepared before marketing, such as title documents, searches, and planning records. While it increases transparency, it also increases costs and workload at the listing stage.

What are the risks of increased digitalisation in conveyancing?

Digitalisation improves efficiency but introduces new challenges around data accuracy, identity verification, and fraud prevention. Safeguards must be in place to ensure information is reliable and secure.

How is Endeavour Law responding to these proposed changes?

Endeavour Law’s property team, led by Joanne Matthews, is closely monitoring the consultation and will ensure the firm remains ahead of legislative changes while maintaining client protection and service quality.

Homebuying Reform 2025: What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

Posted 07 Oct, 2025

With the Government announcing its homebuying reform proposals for October 2025, it is easy at first glance to be excited at the prospect of making the selling process faster, cheaper and more transparent, with the added benefit of improved digital efficiencies.

But what does this mean in practice? Joanne Matthews, our Director of Private Client Services and Property, suggests that the reality may be far more nuanced.

Key points from the consultation include:

Fewer fall-throughs
More upfront information
Better digital processes

Introducing earlier “binding” agreements may reduce uncertainty but could also impose tighter timelines for due diligence, limiting the opportunity for thorough legal checks that ultimately protect clients.

Preparation of full legal packs before listing: While “upfront information” appears straightforward, producing full legal packs at the listing stage is likely to increase the workload, costs and risks for sellers and their solicitors before a buyer is even secured.

Digitalisation: While digitalisation is a vital step forward, it brings new complexities – including concerns around data accuracy, identity verification and the risk of fraud.

There is no doubt that reform is needed, but it must protect legal integrity and avoid increasing professional liability without adequate support.

Joanne and her team will be keeping a close eye on the consultation process and will ensure that, whatever the outcome, Endeavour Law remains ahead of the curve.

Homebuying reform

by Joanne Matthews, Director of Private Client Services and Property