Homebuying reform to cut homebuying times by around four weeks and save first-time buyers around £650, says the government.
Announced on 19th June 2026, the UK government shared reforms to the homebuying and selling process in England designed to minimise transaction times, reduce costs, and lower the rate of failed sales.
Sellers and estate agents will be required to provide key information upfront when the property is listed, including the property’s condition, leasehold costs and chain information.
Binding agreements will also be introduced sooner to limit the number of parties withdrawing without a genuine reason.
The average house purchase currently takes approximately 120 days to complete, with around one in three sales falling through.
There will be a new Code of Practice put in place for estate agents, with potential for mandatory qualifications.
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
Yesterday
Despite the Prime Minister not yet announcing any policies to abolish or change Stamp Duty, speculation persists that this could become government policy.
Burnham, who officially became Prime Minister on Monday, 20th July, has expressed strong support for a significant reform of property taxes over recent years. He said that he will deliver “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years.”
16 days ago
Almost half of young adults are worried about their credit history stopping them from renting or buying a property, according to data from Loqbox
27 days ago
Different seasons can have a noticeable effect on property prices.
Research from Zoopla shows that spending out on certain features can fetch up to £29,000 during the summer months.
Monday 22nd June saw Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader. The resignation does not directly impact mortgage rates, as changes were taking place before this announcement. However, it could influence mortgage rates indirectly through financial markets and future government policies.
Buying your first home is a huge milestone, but it can also be a complex process. There are several factors a first-time buyer should consider before making an offer on a property, including understanding the difference between leasehold and freehold and checking council tax bands.
We’ve detailed some questions you can ask your estate agent to help you make an informed decision.
17 Jun 2026
Remortgaging means switching to a new mortgage deal. This will either be with your current lender or a new one.
Getting advice and moving to a new deal when the time is right can mean lower monthly mortgage payments, better interest rates, or releasing equity from your property.
Here are some signs it may be time to remortgage.
According to Nationwide Building Society’s latest House Price Index, house prices dropped 0.6% month on month in May – the first monthly decline this year.