The property market is changing. Are you prepared for what comes next?

The property market is changing. Are you prepared for what comes next?

The property market is entering a period of significant reform, with changes planned to the way homes are bought and sold, new protections for leaseholders, greater transparency around property information and increasing use of digital technology.

For anyone considering buying, selling, investing in or developing property, these changes are important. Some have already come into force, others are due to be introduced during 2027, while further reforms remain subject to legislation and consultation.

At Lewis Mitchell Solicitors, we keep abreast of developments in property law to ensure our clients receive clear, practical advice and understand how changes may affect their transactions.

Here is our overview of the key developments.

1. Major reform of the home-buying and selling process

One of the most significant developments is the Government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, published in June 2026.

The proposals are intended to address longstanding problems within the conveyancing process, including delays, duplicated work, insufficient information at the outset and transactions falling through.

The Government estimates that a typical property transaction currently takes around 120 days from an accepted offer to completion, with approximately one in three transactions falling through.

The proposed reforms aim to make the process more transparent, efficient and reliable.

Key proposals include:

Upfront property information and sales packs

Sellers will increasingly be encouraged, and eventually required, to provide important property information before their property is marketed.

The proposed sales packs are expected to include:

• Property searches and relevant local authority information.
• Details of the property’s legal title and any restrictions.
• Information about the physical condition of the property.
• Leasehold information, including service charges and ground rent, where applicable.
• Relevant information about the property’s ownership and management.

The intention is to identify potential problems earlier, rather than allowing them to emerge several weeks into a transaction.

Earlier commitment from buyers and sellers

The Government also intends to move towards binding conditional contracts, designed to reduce the risk of buyers or sellers withdrawing from transactions without a legitimate reason.

However, these arrangements will not be introduced immediately. The Government intends to establish comprehensive upfront sales packs first, with further legislation and consultation required before binding contracts become compulsory.

Digital conveyancing

The reforms also envisage greater use of:

• Digital identification and verification.
• Electronic signatures.
• Digital property logbooks.
• Secure sharing of property information.
• Technology to reduce duplicated administration and unnecessary delays.

The Government intends to introduce these changes gradually, with further developments expected during 2027 and 2028.

2. Leasehold reform: Greater protection for homeowners

Leasehold reform remains a major area of change, particularly for people who own flats or leasehold houses.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduced a number of important changes intended to make leasehold ownership fairer and give leaseholders greater control over their properties.

Further provisions are expected to be implemented from 2027.

The reforms include measures intended to:

• Make it easier and potentially cheaper for leaseholders to extend their leases.
• Increase the standard statutory lease extension term to 990 years.
• Reduce ground rent to a peppercorn on qualifying statutory lease extensions.
• Improve transparency around service charges and administration fees.
• Strengthen leaseholders’ rights to challenge unreasonable charges.
• Make it easier for qualifying leaseholders to acquire their freehold or take over the management of their building.

The Government is also progressing further proposals to make commonhold the preferred form of ownership for new flats, rather than leasehold.

A proposed cap on existing ground rents is also under consideration, with a £250 annual cap followed by a reduction to a peppercorn after 40 years. This remains subject to the proposed legislation and its implementation.

What does this mean if you are buying or selling a leasehold property?

Leasehold transactions can involve additional legal considerations, including the remaining lease term, ground rent provisions, service charge liabilities, management company requirements and potential major works.

Understanding these matters before committing to a purchase is essential.

Our conveyancing team can help identify relevant issues and explain their implications before you proceed.

3. The Building Safety Levy – Effective October 2026

The Building Safety Levy came into force on 1 October 2026 in England.

The levy is intended to help fund the remediation of building safety defects, including issues involving unsafe cladding.

It applies to certain new residential developments and is payable by developers through the building control process, subject to applicable exemptions.

The levy is particularly relevant to property developers, housebuilders and those involved in residential development.

Although it is not a general charge imposed on individuals buying existing homes, it is an important development for the wider residential property market.

Buyers purchasing newly constructed properties should be aware of the wider regulatory and cost implications for developers and the potential effect on development viability and property supply.

4. New requirements for certain land agreements from April 2027

A further important change concerns contractual rights affecting registered land.

From 6 April 2027, new regulations will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry.

These include certain:

• Option agreements.
• Conditional contracts.
• Pre-emption rights.

The requirements are intended to improve transparency by making it easier to identify contractual arrangements which give someone control over the use or development of land, even where ownership has not changed.

There are also transitional requirements for certain rights granted between 8 June 2026 and 5 April 2027.

This is particularly relevant to landowners, developers, investors and anyone entering into agreements concerning the future sale or development of land.

Legal advice should be obtained when negotiating these arrangements to ensure the relevant requirements are addressed.

5. Changes affecting landlords and residential property investors

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 in England, introducing significant changes to the private rented sector.

Among the principal changes:

• Assured shorthold tenancies have been replaced by assured periodic tenancies.
• Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished.
• New rules govern rent increases.
• Tenants have enhanced rights concerning pets.
• Landlords must comply with revised requirements when granting and managing residential tenancies.

These changes are particularly important for landlords and property investors.

Anyone purchasing an investment property should consider not only the legal title and condition of the property but also the tenancy arrangements, rental income and obligations attached to the property.

The changes make it increasingly important to understand the legal implications before purchasing a property with existing tenants.

6. Why instructing an experienced conveyancing solicitor matters

Property transactions are rarely straightforward. Even where a sale or purchase appears relatively simple, issues can arise involving title restrictions, rights of way, planning permissions, building regulations, leasehold provisions, restrictive covenants, management companies and property searches.

With further legislative and regulatory changes on the horizon, it is important to have a conveyancing solicitor who understands the legal requirements and can identify potential issues at an early stage.

At Lewis Mitchell Solicitors, we deal with residential and commercial property transactions, advising buyers, sellers, investors and developers.

We understand that buying or selling a property is often one of the most significant financial decisions you will make. Our approach is to provide clear advice, deal with matters proactively and keep you informed throughout the transaction.

Looking to buy or sell a property?

Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving home, selling an existing property, purchasing an investment property or dealing with a more complex transaction, we are here to help.

We can guide you through the conveyancing process, explain the legal requirements and help you understand any issues which may affect your transaction.

Contact Lewis Mitchell Solicitors

If you are considering buying or selling a property, contact our team to discuss your requirements and obtain a conveyancing quotation.

Lewis Mitchell Solicitors
Primrose Dairy, Railway View Road, Clitheroe, BB7 2HE
Telephone: 01200 428102

This article is intended for general information purposes only and reflects developments as at October 2026. Some of the reforms discussed remain proposals or are subject to further legislation and commencement regulations. It should not be treated as legal advice on any individual transaction.