EPCs set to play key role in future home buying and selling reforms
Today, 19th June 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published its outcome to the Home Buying and Selling Reform consultation, setting out a roadmap to make the property transaction process faster, more transparent and more reliable.
The consultation, which ran from 6th October to 29th December 2025, looked at how homes are bought and sold, including what information should be made available to buyers earlier in the process.
This outcome covers property transactions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As there is a distinct framework in place in Scotland, Government do not expect these measures to apply there
What did the Consultation cover?
The Home Buying and Selling Reform consultation considered how to improve the buying and selling process for consumers and property professionals. Its proposals included:
- requiring key property information to be available earlier
- encouraging the use of digital tools to streamline transactions
- improving professional standards across the property sector
- exploring more binding agreements to reduce fall-throughs
What was Elmhurst’s response?
Elmhurst welcomed the proposed reforms, particularly measures that improve transparency, reduce delays and ensure consumers have access to clear, accurate and reliable information at an earlier stage in the transaction.
Central to Elmhurst’s response was the view that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) should be clearly recognised as mandatory material information, provided at the point of listing, accurately maintained to reflect the property as marketed, and linked to the full certificate on the official register.
Elmhurst also supported:
- clearer guidance on material information, including the correct use and presentation of EPC data
- improved training and qualifications across the property sector
- stronger collaboration between estate agents, energy assessors, surveyors, conveyancers and other professionals
- wider adoption of digital property logbooks to improve the accessibility, accuracy and ongoing maintenance of property information, including energy performance data
You can read our full response here and related news article:
What does the outcome confirm?
The government’s roadmap confirms a clear direction of travel towards more comprehensive upfront property information, greater digitalisation and higher professional standards across the home buying and selling process.
Introduction of Comprehensive Sales Packs including EPC data
While the final requirements are still to be developed, the roadmap confirms that government intends to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time allows, to require sales packs to be prepared before a property is listed.
Importantly, EPC ratings are included within the government’s indicative list of information expected to form part of future property sales packs. This is a welcome step and reinforces the important role EPCs play in helping buyers understand a property’s energy performance from the outset.
These packs are expected to also include searches and a property condition report, alongside a wider set of key property information. The indicative information set includes:
- tenure type, such as freehold or leasehold
- Council Tax band
- EPC rating
- property type
- title information and documents
- seller ID verification
- leasehold and freehold estate terms
- building safety information
- standard search results
- general property information, such as a property questionnaire
- property condition assessment report tailored to the property age and type
- accessibility information
- chain status
- floor plan
For Elmhurst, the inclusion of EPC ratings in this list is particularly significant. It demonstrates that energy performance information is being recognised as a core part of the property information buyers should have access to early in the transaction.
Digital Property Logbooks including EPC data
The roadmap also confirms government’s intention for digital property logbooks and sales packs to become a standard part of property transactions.
Digital property logbooks are designed to provide secure online records of property-specific information owned by the homeowner. Government has confirmed that, when parliamentary time allows, it intends to legislate on the minimum standardised data these products should contain, aligned with sales pack requirements.
As EPC ratings are included in the indicative sales pack information, Elmhurst welcomes the clear opportunity for energy performance information to form part of a more accessible, consistent and digital property information process.
Other Key Improvements to the Process
Alongside sales packs and digital logbooks, the roadmap includes several wider reforms, including:
- the introduction of a new Code of Practice for property agents
- wider adoption of digital identity verification and qualified electronic signatures
- measures to reduce duplication in anti-money laundering checks
- development of more binding conditional contracts once sales packs are embedded
- a proposed Home Buying and Selling Charter to support consumer confidence and best practice
Elmhurst’s View
Elmhurst welcomes the government’s roadmap as a positive step towards a more transparent and better-informed home buying and selling process.
The inclusion of EPC ratings within proposed sales pack information is particularly important. Energy performance information plays a vital role in helping buyers understand a property’s likely running costs, energy efficiency and potential improvement options before they commit to a purchase.
Although the detailed requirements are still to be finalised, the direction of travel is clear. Property information is expected to become more comprehensive, more digital and more readily available at the start of the transaction.
This could also create opportunities for energy, retrofit and property professionals to support estate agents, sellers and consumers by helping to provide accurate, reliable and joined-up property information.
Elmhurst will continue to monitor the development of these reforms and will keep members updated as further detail becomes available.