Transparency in property: the journey from ambition to expectation

Imagine buying a home with complete clarity from the start. Read on to discover how mandatory upfront information is turning that vision into reality.

Missing EPC details, unclear tenure or hidden flood risks. All too often, these gaps in information lead to delays, uncertainty and lost trust, despite the best efforts of all parties involved. 

That’s why the government’s plans to make upfront information mandatory mark a turning point for the industry. What was once an ambition shared by many is now becoming the expected standard. Buyers will have more clarity from the outset, sellers will be better prepared, and property professionals will have the tools to move transactions forward with confidence. 

Raising the bar for the property industry

Under the proposals, sellers and estate agents will be required to publish key details before a property is listed. This includes the property’s condition, characteristics and flood risk - the type of information that can shape decisions and prevent costly surprises later in the process. 

The list of proposed mandatory information is extensive: tenure, council tax band, EPC rating, legal title information, ID verification, building safety data, standard searches, condition assessments, service charges, planning consents, flood risk data, chain status and floor plans. 

What’s clear is that there’s also a role for technology providers, with measures to encourage the use of digital tools as well as the introduction of a new Code of Practice for agents. This isn’t a tweak to the process. It’s a fundamental shift in how property transactions are expected to work.  

Why upfront information changes everything

The property sector has been crying out for more transparency for a long time. Uncovering issues later in transactions doesn’t just delay completions; it creates uncertainty, increases costs and undermines trust. 

By sharing crucial information at the start of the process, transactions can be faster, clearer and more reliable. It creates a level playing field and more importantly, gives everyone involved a better experience. 

Technology as the enabler of real change 

The success of these changes will depend on how well the industry adapts. We’ve always believed that technology will play a central role in turning regulatory requirements into everyday practice.  

At Sprift, driving greater transparency has been at the heart of our mission from the very start. We’ve been pioneering property data transparency long before it became part of the latest government updates. The proposed new measures don’t just mark the start of wider change; they validate what we’ve been delivering for years. Before ‘upfront information’ became a policy term, we made it a product reality, with a platform that consolidates hundreds of verified datapoints per property from thousands of official and trusted sources in one place. Built to support property professionals and help consumers understand any property, instantly, our Interactive Property Reports bring together condition data, EPC ratings, flood risk, planning history and more into one place, giving property professionals the tools they need to share this crucial information about a property and meet and exceed the new standards.  

For those already embracing data and digital processes, the latest update from the government isn’t a challenge, it’s momentum. 

A shared responsibility

These changes aren’t just about estate agents. To work effectively, they need the support and collaboration of mortgage brokers, lenders, conveyancers, surveyors, insurers and tech providers. The property transaction process has too often relied on fragmented, reactive steps. This is the opportunity to change that. 

When information flows more easily across the ecosystem, everyone benefits.  

This concept has anchored what we do here at Sprift. Our mission has always been to help property professionals and consumers make more informed decisions with easy access to property-specific data to speed up transaction times and reduce fall through rates. Home to 300+ datapoints on over 30 million UK residential properties, our shareable dashboards streamline the transaction process and make it simple for estate agents, letting agents, financial services professionals, surveyors and conveyancers to access and share the insights they need from the outset of a transaction.  

Conclusion: it's an opportunity to lead

This isn’t just a compliance exercise. It’s a chance to modernise the property market, build trust and make transactions more certain for everyone involved. 

For agents, it means better conversations and faster completions. 

For buyers, it means greater clarity and confidence. 

For the wider industry, it’s an opportunity to lead meaningful change. 

As these new standards take shape, the focus will shift quickly from policy to practical delivery. Those who act early will be best placed to build trust, meet expectations and stay ahead of the curve. 

At Sprift, our Interactive Property Reports are already designed to give agents, buyers and sellers the information they need upfront, from condition data and flood risk to EPC ratings and legal title information. These valuable insights, which can be found in our dashboards, can be packaged into bespoke property reports in a few clicks, which means new standards don’t need to be a burden, but instead, can be an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and grow your business.  

To learn more about how we can help you prepare for the new government standards, join the professionals already leading the way by using our platform and book a demo with our team today.