RICS and Law Society respond to MHCLG consultation on home buying and selling reforms
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has welcomed the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s consultation on proposed reforms to the home buying and selling process. RICS supports the establishment of consistent upfront information for buyers, including property condition surveys conducted by qualified professionals. It also endorses proposals for a new Code of Practice and mandatory qualifications for property professionals, noting that it has developed a similar code with the Property Ombudsman and is willing to work with the government to incorporate it into future plans. RICS states that the use of new technologies will be key to improving housing market efficiency and reliability, highlighting that increased digitisation can improve record-keeping, accuracy and security, while wider adoption of AI in conveyancing could accelerate processes. The reforms also include a separate consultation on material information in property listings, which RICS strongly supports, having previously called for a public consultation in this area.