CCPC calls for more transparency in the homebuying process
July 30, 2025
A new report from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) highlights significant information gaps for homebuyers.
The research identifies some of the biggest pain points for buyers that stem from a lack of information, leaving them confused and frustrated in limbo due to lengthy delays.
According to the report, the trust that consumers place in various actors in the homebuying process varies, with the seller (16%) and estate agents (22%) among the least trusted. Friends and family were the most trusted source of information at 79%, followed closely by buyers’ solicitors and engineers at 78% and 73% respectively.
The research also showed that consumers want more information earlier in the process, with 78% agreeing that if a potential buyer asks a question about a property, the estate agent should have to identify and disclose the information to other buyers.
CCPC recommendations
In order to improve the homebuying process for consumers, the CCPC has identified several actions that can be taken to alleviate these issues. These include calling on the Government to legislate for the requirement of pre-sale information to avoid delays and possible sales falling through, and to create a new conveyancing profession to enhance the efficiency of the legal process.
It is also asking the Government to consolidate key location-based information from public bodies and present it to buyers in a more accessible way.
Following this report, the CCPC will enhance its homebuyers’ guide and include advice on what questions to ask at various points in the process. It will also develop guidance for estate agents and developers that will help provide more and better information to homebuyers.
Simon Barry, director of research, advocacy and international at CCPC said:
“Buying a home is usually the biggest financial decision someone will make in their lifetime, and it can also be an incredibly complicated and lengthy process.
Our research shows that homebuyers find it difficult to know what questions to ask and aren’t sure where to find the information they need.
The legal principle of ‘buyer beware’ puts the responsibility of gathering the necessary information about a property into the buyer’s hands. Therefore, the CCPC is calling for that information to be more accessible to buyers much earlier in the process. This will empower them to make more informed decisions.”
More information can be found in the full report on the residential property market.
Homebuyers can also find out more about the homebuying process in our homebuyers’ guide.
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