The Conveyancing Association has backed calls from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee for major reform of the home buying and selling process, including mandatory estate agent qualifications and the wider use of upfront property information.
The trade body says the recommendations made by the Select Committee reflect long-standing concerns across the industry around delays, failed transactions and rising costs.
The Committee’s proposals, outlined in correspondence sent to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, include calls for authoritative upfront property information, earlier commitment within transactions and stronger regulation of estate agents.
The Conveyancing Association says improving the availability of property information at the point of listing would help reduce delays and fall-throughs by allowing buyers, brokers, lenders, valuers and conveyancers to make decisions earlier in the process.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
The organisation also backed proposals for a formal Code of Practice and mandatory qualifications for estate agents, arguing that improved professionalism and consistency across the sector would support better transaction outcomes and more accurate handling of material information.
The comments come amid growing momentum behind estate agency reform, following the Government’s homebuying consultation and increased industry focus on qualifications and standards.
The CA also warned that delays and uncertainty within the current transaction process are discouraging mobility across the housing market, particularly among first-time buyers and downsizers.
UPFRONT INFORMATION
Beth Rudolf (main picture, inset), Director of Delivery at the Conveyancing Association, says: “A number of these recommendations from the Select Committee recognise the reality of the current system and the impact it is having on consumers, conveyancing firms and the wider housing market.
“There is a clear need to reduce delays, cut fall-throughs and improve certainty, and many of the measures outlined here would help achieve exactly that.
“Upfront information, including searches, is essential. If buyers and lenders have the data they need from the outset, we can remove a significant amount of delay and uncertainty from the process. This is the foundation for any further reform and must be implemented effectively and consistently across the market.”
CLEAR ALIGNMENT
She adds: “Improving standards across the market is key. Consumers should be able to trust the information they are given is accurate, complete and provided at the right time.
“A clear framework for estate agents, supported by proper oversight, would help create a more consistent experience for everyone involved in the transaction.
“There is clear alignment across the industry on what needs to change. The focus now has to be on delivery. We stand ready to support Government in implementing reforms that will create a faster, more certain and more cost-effective home buying and selling process.”
POSITIVE STEP FORWARD
Buster Tolfree, Managing Director – Mortgages, BTL & Bridging, United Trust Bank, adds: “From a lender perspective, anything that improves the quality and availability of upfront information is a positive step forward for the market.
“Too often, delays and fall-throughs are driven by gaps in data that only surface late in the process.
“If reform can genuinely standardise and digitise that information earlier, it has the potential to improve certainty for brokers, accelerate underwriting decisions and ultimately deliver better outcomes for customers.”
RESETTING EXPECTATIONS
But he says: “However, this is about more than process efficiency – it’s about resetting expectations across the entire transaction chain.
“As an industry, we need to move towards a model where decisions are made on verified, accessible data much earlier in the journey.
“That creates a more predictable environment for brokers, reduces wasted cost for customers and supports a healthier, more liquid housing market.
“The key, however, will be consistent adoption and clear accountability. Without that, the risk is simply shifting friction further up the chain rather than removing it.
“The real opportunity lies in collective execution – where lenders, brokers, conveyancers and agents align around common data standards and embrace digital integration in a meaningful way.”
