If you have ever bought or sold a home, you will know the process can be slow, stressful and frustratingly uncertain. On 18 June 2026 the government announced a major shake-up designed to fix exactly that. As your mortgage advisers, we want to walk you through what is changing, when, and what it means for your next move.

Why the system is changing

The numbers behind the announcement tell their own story. The average home purchase currently takes around 120 days, roughly one in three sales falls through, and failed transactions cost the UK economy up to £1.5 billion every year. For buyers and sellers, that translates into wasted legal fees, lost mortgage offers and a great deal of heartache.

The reforms aim to cut buying times by around four weeks and save first-time buyers an average of £650. If you are stepping onto the ladder for the first time, those savings and that certainty matter, and they sit alongside the support we already offer through our first-time buyer advice.

What is actually changing

There are a few headline measures worth understanding.

Upfront sales packs. Sellers and estate agents will need to provide key information at the point of listing, including the property's condition, leasehold costs and chain status. The idea is that you see the full picture before you fall in love with a home, rather than discovering nasty surprises weeks down the line.

Earlier binding agreements. New rules will introduce binding conditional contracts much earlier in the process, with financial penalties for anyone who walks away without a valid reason. This is designed to reduce the fall-throughs that cost buyers and sellers so dearly. Importantly, this will only come into force once sales packs are established, so you will always have the key information before you are committed.

A digital overhaul. Paper-based systems are being replaced with digital property logbooks, digital identity checks, electronic signatures and AI-assisted conveyancing. Trusted information will be shared securely between professionals in real time, cutting out the endless back-and-forth.

Higher standards for agents. A new Code of Practice will raise minimum standards for estate agents, with proposals for mandatory qualifications to follow.

When will it happen

This is a phased roadmap, not an overnight switch. A Code of Practice and improved listing guidance are expected later in 2026, consultation on agent qualifications and expanded digital tools from 2027, and full legislation covering sales packs, binding contracts and digital systems by the end of this Parliament. The approach gives the industry time to adapt while delivering improvements as quickly as possible.

What it means for you and your mortgage

A faster, more certain process is good news, but your mortgage timing still matters. A binding agreement earlier in the chain makes it more important than ever to have your finances lined up before you offer, so your mortgage does not become the thing holding up an otherwise quick sale. That is where getting advice early pays off.

Whether you are buying your first home, moving up the ladder or reviewing your current deal, being mortgage-ready means you can move with confidence the moment the right property appears. We search the whole market on your behalf and manage the application from first call to completion, so you are never navigating these changes alone.

These reforms are a welcome step towards a fairer, simpler housing market. We will keep you updated as each phase is confirmed.

Ready to plan your next move?

Get ahead of the changes and find out exactly what you can borrow. Speak to our team and get started today.