James's comments were published in Today's Conveyancer, 7 October 2025, and can be seen here.
James Vernor-Miles, head of our Residential Property department, welcomed the government's ambition to reform the homebuying process but expressed concern over the lack of detail in the proposals.
He noted that the sector has already undergone significant change in recent years, citing Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) reforms, leasehold legislation, and the Building Safety Act. James warned against reintroducing previously unsuccessful initiatives such as Home Information Packs, and instead called for practical, enforceable measures that would genuinely improve the process.
A key recommendation from James was to require sellers to instruct a conveyancer before marketing their property. He suggested that estate agents should be required to list the conveyancer's details in property listings, which would help demonstrate a seller's commitment and improve transparency for buyers. This, he argued, would be a simple but effective step toward reducing delays and fall-throughs in transactions.
The article also featured a broad range of industry responses to the government's proposals, which are being described as the most significant shake-up of the homebuying process in decades. Many welcomed the focus on digitisation, upfront information, and better regulation of estate agents. However, several contributors echoed James's concerns about the risk of repeating past mistakes and the need for reforms to be practical and inclusive for firms of all sizes.
Read the full article on Today's Conveyancer website [external link].