There are very few occasions where our industry can look at a proposed reform and say with genuine confidence that it has the potential to improve the process for everyone involved. However, the government’s plans to introduce more upfront property information, including greater use of home condition surveys, are one of those occasions.

We fully support this direction of travel. The homebuying process has been crying out for change for decades, and these proposals represent a welcome step towards making it simpler, more transparent and more reliable for everyone involved.

For many years, as a business, we’ve actively encouraged buyers to generate a better understanding around the condition of the property’s before committing to what is often the biggest financial decision they will ever make.

While technology has improved parts of the transaction, the process itself still relies too heavily on important information arriving late. Buyers often only become aware of significant issues after an offer has been accepted, mortgage arrangements are progressing and everyone involved has already invested considerable time, money and emotion.

By that stage, even relatively straightforward issues can become far more difficult to resolve. Transactions are delayed, prices are renegotiated, mortgage decisions may need reviewing and, in some cases, sales fall through altogether. That creates unnecessary frustration for buyers and sellers, while increasing cost and uncertainty for brokers, lenders and estate agents.

These potential homebuying reforms represents a significant shift in thinking. Instead of uncovering issues once a transaction is well underway, the industry has an opportunity to identify them much earlier, giving everyone involved a clearer understanding of the property from the outset. Better informed decisions should lead to stronger transactions, fewer surprises and greater confidence across the property chain.

The greatest impact is likely to be felt by first-time buyers.

Buying a first home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Many are navigating unfamiliar terminology, multiple professional advisers and significant financial commitments for the first time. With this in mind, it’s hardly surprising that confusion still exists around the difference between a mortgage valuation and a home condition survey, despite years of education across the sector.

Our own research suggests that awareness is gradually improving, with more people choosing to commission a survey before completing their purchase. However, overall uptake remains lower than it should be, which suggests many buyers are still making decisions without fully understanding the condition of the property they are about to purchase.

Of course, introducing upfront information is only part of the solution. Delivering meaningful reform will require close collaboration between estate agents, surveyors, conveyancers, lenders and government to ensure information is accurate, proportionate and available when it is needed. And it’s important that we view this as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

As a surveying businesses, and part of the Connells Group, we recognise both our responsibility and our ability to help shape that future. We are already working closely across the wider group to explore how upfront surveys could operate in practice through pilot initiatives, helping identify the most effective way of embedding them within the homebuying journey.

Technology also has an important role to play. Better connected data, digital workflows and more intelligent risk assessment can ensure relevant information reaches the right people much earlier in the process.

However, technology should support professional judgement rather than replace it. After all, understanding the condition of a home still depends on the experience, expertise and independence of qualified surveyors, and that will remain just as important in the future as it is today.

There will naturally be discussions around implementation and exactly what information should be provided upfront. Those conversations are both necessary and healthy, particularly if they involve representatives from across the property sector who understand the practical implications for consumers and the wider market.

What should not be questioned is the direction of travel. The consultation responses demonstrated broad support for improving upfront information, reflecting a growing recognition that the current process introduces unnecessary uncertainty far too late in the transaction.

Meaningful reform does not come along often in the housing market. When it does, the industry has a choice. We can continue to accept a process that too often creates unnecessary delay, uncertainty and frustration, or we can work together to create one built around earlier information, better informed decisions and greater confidence for everyone involved.

From our perspective, the choice is an easy one. 

Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services