Kick Start Your Moving Experience With Derby's Leading Local Agent
Book Your Valuation
Explore links
Important links
Follow us
© Hannells Ltd 2025
Site by Alt
A new proposal from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has caught the attention of estate agents, buyers and sellers across the UK. It could mean big savings and a smoother experience for those looking to get on the property ladder.
According to early reports, proposed changes to the home-buying process could result in first-time buyers saving, on average, over £700 by streamlining paperwork, reducing failed transactions, and introducing clearer responsibilities between buyers, sellers and estate agents.
But what exactly is being proposed, and what could it mean for buyers and sellers in areas like Derby?
The government is consulting on a package of reforms aimed at making the process of buying and selling property in England and Wales faster, more transparent and less stressful.
The key proposals include:
Mandatory upfront property information. Sellers would be required to provide more detailed information before a property goes on the market, giving buyers a clearer picture earlier.
Reservation agreements. Legally binding commitments between buyers and sellers to reduce the risk of sales falling through.
New guidance and tools for buyers. Including clearer advice about conveyancing, mortgages, and what to expect during the process.
Better data sharing. Encouraging estate agents, solicitors and mortgage lenders to collaborate more effectively using digital systems.
If implemented correctly, these reforms could be a real boost for buyers and sellers in Derby.
At Hannells, we regularly see the frustration that delays, poor communication and collapsed sales can cause, particularly for first-time buyers who are unfamiliar with the process. Making more information available at the very beginning could help buyers make faster, more confident decisions, and potentially reduce the number of fall-throughs.
According to government estimates, the average failed transaction costs buyers around £1,000, while sellers face similar losses. Anything that reduces that risk is a step in the right direction.
As a customer-focused estate agency, we’re absolutely in favour of anything that will help to speed up, simplify or reduce the costs of buying and selling property.
But we’re also in favour of making sure it’s done properly.
The last major change introduced with similar intentions was the Home Information Pack (HIP), brought in back in 2007. That system added an extra upfront cost of several hundred pounds for sellers and was scrapped just three years later. This meant an entire industry built around HIPs became redundant overnight.
We’ve seen before how these kinds of reforms can fall flat if they’re not designed and implemented with the right input. Unfortunately, consultations like these are often carried out without proper involvement from those of us who work directly with buyers and sellers every day.
That’s why we hope that if these changes do move forward, they are developed with real industry insight and are designed to genuinely improve the experience for everyone involved.
✨ At Hannells, we’re always on hand to guide you through the process every step of the way. If you’re considering your next move – whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing, downsizing, or simply curious about what your current property is worth – our friendly team here in Derby would love to help.
Click HERE to book your free, no-obligation valuation.
Get in touch with your local branch of Hannells by clicking HERE
To catch all of our latest content, make sure you subscribe to our social media channels below!
Hannells – A Moving Experience…