A copy of our members' email update of 19th June 2026.
Dear Colleague,
The government has today made two significant releases on the way homes are bought and sold: a headline announcement setting out a major package of reforms, and a detailed reform roadmap explaining how those changes will be taken forward. The majority of the measures are expected to apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, subject to the detail of future legislation. I am writing to make sure every member is aware of them, because one part of the roadmap speaks directly to the work we do.
The roadmap confirms an intention to legislate, when parliamentary time allows, so that a property condition report becomes part of a standard sales pack prepared before a home is listed for sale. In short, condition reporting is set to move from a late-stage check to a central part of the transaction from the very first day a property goes to market.
I want to be clear about two things straight away. First, this is recognition of the value of what we do. The roadmap makes clear that surveyors are expected to be responsible for condition-related information within the sales pack. Second, nothing changes overnight. These are proposals that will require legislation and a phased introduction, so there is time to understand the detail and to prepare.
It is also worth saying that these proposals follow a public consultation in which the profession took part, and the voices of surveyors have been heard. The concern our profession raised most often, that speed must never be allowed to undermine quality and proper due diligence, has been acknowledged in the government's response. That is welcome, and we will keep making sure your voice continues to count as the detail is worked out.
The RPSA is already engaged in the wider work on professional standards and regulation through the Construction Industry Council, and you have my assurance that we will press that case at every stage, for high standards and for the independent surveyor and the small practice alike.
You can read our first take in the news section of our website here:
RPSA news: Homebuying reforms and what they mean for surveyors
You can also read the government's full roadmap here:
Home buying and selling reform roadmap (GOV.UK)
A fuller members' briefing, setting out what the proposals mean in practice and how to prepare, will follow shortly.
With best wishes,
Andrew McColl
Chairman, Residential Property Surveyors Association
