In June 2026 the Government published its Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, which it describes as a plan for a "faster, clearer and more predictable" way to buy and sell homes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. One of its biggest changes is a plan to require sales packs before a property can be listed.
Here's what that means, when it's likely to happen and why getting ready early makes sense.
What the roadmap says
The Government intends to legislate, by the end of this Parliament, to require the preparation of sales packs prior to listing, including searches and a property condition report. Sellers will keep overall responsibility for making sure the pack is prepared, with professionals gathering and checking the information.
The roadmap sets out three stages:
- Now (2026): guidance on property listing information, a Code of Practice for agents, and work with industry on sales pack information that can be provided voluntarily, straight away
- Next (2027 to 2028): consultations on agent qualifications and further information requirements, and more use of digital ID
- Future (by the end of this Parliament): legislation for sales packs, binding conditional contracts and digital property logbooks
Why the Government is acting
The case for change is laid out in the roadmap itself. Around one in three transactions fall through, costing consumers around £400 million a year. Transactions take around 120 days on average, and the journey is about 60% longer than in 2007.
There is also strong support for change. When the Government consulted, 79% of responses agreed there should be a mandatory requirement for comprehensive upfront information. Only 8% disagreed.
79% of consultation responses backed mandatory upfront information (GOV.UK, June 2026)
Haven't we been here before?
Yes, sort of. Home Information Packs (HIPs) became mandatory in England and Wales from 1 August 2007. They were meant to include a Home Condition Report, but that part was made voluntary before launch, and the packs were suspended in May 2010.
The difference this time is that the property condition report is at the heart of the plan. The information buyers care about most, the actual condition of the home, is exactly what HIPs left out.
The direction of travel has been clear for a while. Since 2023, National Trading Standards guidance has set out the material information (known as Parts A, B and C) that should be included in property listings, from council tax and tenure to construction, utilities, flood risk and building safety.
What it means for sellers
In the future, getting your home's condition checked before listing will be part of selling. For now it is optional, but the benefits are available straight away: fewer surprises, a price that is harder to chip and a faster sale.
The Snag It Ltd Pre-Sale Property Inspection Pack gives you an independent inspection report plus EPC, EICR and Gas Safe certificates where needed, and optional works-completed inspections if you fix issues before selling.
What it means for estate agents
Agents who start working with upfront information now will be ready when it becomes law, and will stand out in the meantime. Offering a pre-sale inspection as part of your service helps you:
- Set valuations that are backed by an independent report and are easier to defend
- Reduce the number of sales that fall through after survey
- Shorten the time from sale agreed to completion, so you get paid sooner
- Show vendors you are ahead of the reforms rather than reacting to them
We are already talking to estate agents and conveyancers across Kent and Medway about partnering on the Pack. If you'd like to be one of the first, we'd love to hear from you.
Be ready before you have to be
The details of the future sales pack, including exactly who can prepare a property condition report, are still being worked out. But the principle is settled: buyers should know about a home's condition before they make an offer. There's no need to wait for the legislation to start selling that way.
Frequently asked questions
Are sales packs compulsory now?
Not yet. The Government plans to legislate before the end of this Parliament. For now, it is encouraging sellers and the industry to provide upfront information voluntarily.
Will a property condition report replace the buyer's survey?
That hasn't been decided. Details of the future sales pack, including who can prepare condition reports, are still being worked out with industry.
Is this the same as the old HIPs?
Not quite. HIPs never included a mandatory condition report, which is exactly what the new plans put at the centre.
Is your house good to go?
Get ahead of the reforms. Sellers: book a Pre-Sale Property Inspection Pack. Estate agents and conveyancers: call 0330 043 1363 to talk about partnering with Snag It Ltd.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Home buying and selling reform roadmap (19 June 2026)
- HomeOwners Alliance: Home buying and selling reforms
- National Trading Standards: Full material information guidance published (November 2023)