The vast majority of home movers want greater transparency in property listings, according to new research from property technology group iamproperty.
The company’s latest survey reveals that 94% of consumers believe having all key information about a property upfront would significantly improve the buying and selling process.
The findings come amid regulatory upheaval. The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team’s (NTSELAT) Material Information guidance – designed to improve transparency – was recently withdrawn, with responsibility for enforcement now moving to the Competition and Markets Authority under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act 2024.
The shift has created confusion among estate agents, but iamproperty is urging the industry not to stall.
BIGGEST OPORTUNITY
Ben Ridgway, Co-Founder of iamproperty, says: “Material Information remains the biggest opportunity our sector has seen in a decade.
“The legal obligation hasn’t gone away. Clear, upfront data drives faster completions, fewer fall-throughs, and better experiences for consumers.”
Ridgway points to auction transactions, where upfront information is mandatory, achieving a 95% success rate and average completion times of just 56 days. iamproperty’s movebutler and Premium Conveyancing platforms offer similar benefits for private treaty sales, enabling agents to collect legal and compliance data early in the process. The result: an average completion time of 79 days and a fall-through rate of just 7%.
RENTERS’ REFORM BILL
Despite the current lack of formal guidance, industry bodies are continuing to push for reform.
Beth Rudolf, Director of Delivery at The Conveyancing Association, says: “There’s a strong likelihood that any new guidance will draw heavily from the original NTSELAT framework, which was the product of three years of cross-sector collaboration.”
She adds that upcoming legislation, including the Renters’ Reform Bill, will further shape the type of information required in property transactions, particularly in the lettings market.
While regulatory clarity may be delayed, momentum behind Material Information is building – driven not by compliance alone, but by consumer demand and commercial advantage.
With the sector under pressure to improve speed, certainty and trust, transparency may yet become a key differentiator for agents looking to stay ahead.
