Why there's room for improvement in the home moving process

Scotland, however, starts from a stronger position. Here, home moves usually take about half as long. Buyers often get clearer information upfront, thanks to the Home Report, and solicitors are involved earlier in the process. Many people only realise how much smoother this is when they compare it to the experience of friends or relatives trying to move elsewhere in the UK.

But being better does not mean the system works perfectly. Too much still relies on inefficient offline paper processes or lengthy email exchanges. Important information is not always shared at the same time with everyone who needs it. Forward-facing risks, such as flooding, are not effectively dealt with early in the process in Scotland, which can lead to unwelcome surprises. As England moves ahead with its own reforms, Scotland needs to think carefully about how to improve its system, so it remains fast, clear and reliable for the people who use it.

With this backdrop, there is potential for Scottish property professionals to consider what some of the initiatives being proposed as part of the Project 28 Charter might achieve if implemented or adapted for the benefit of the market here, and the gains this could deliver to home movers in Scotland. If estate agents, solicitors, lenders, brokers and surveyors worked together to achieve a set of agreed objectives, be it by sharing key information earlier, raising standards so everyone follows the same process, and replacing slow, paper-based steps with digital tools, Scotland can make the whole experience even smoother. These changes would help Scotland keep its lead while giving home movers more confidence and less stress.

A big part of this improvement comes down to using technology better. At the moment, buying and selling a home often involves chasing documents, waiting for updates and filling in many of the same details several times. Digital systems that allow information to be shared instantly would save time for everyone involved and for families. It would simply mean a quicker and more predictable move.

Clearer information about dynamic, forward-facing risks resulting from climate change would also make the process safer and more transparent. The frequency of extreme weather events is increasing in Scotland with flooding impacting more and more areas of the country. Making sure buyers receive reliable information about these risks early on would help them make informed decisions and take steps to protect themselves and their homes.

Bringing these improvements together would make the whole system easier to navigate. Better access to information would help solicitors, surveyors and estate agents work more efficiently. Real-time sharing of important documents would reduce delays. Clearer standards, including a fair way of recognising the value of good professional work, would help make sure everyone plays their part in delivering a smooth experience. This would all end with a better end product for every home mover.

Scotland already shows what an efficient property market can achieve: fewer failed sales, more certainty for families and a stronger foundation for the economy. When homes change hands more smoothly, it stimulates activity across trades, services, and local businesses. Scotland is well placed to take advantage of this – but only if it continues to move forward.

By building on its strengths and developing its own version of Project 28, Scotland can nurture an even faster, transparent and more modern home moving process and continue to set the standard for how homes are bought and sold across the UK. The property sector now has an opportunity to work together and design a simpler, more transparent system that puts consumers first.

Scotland's progressive and efficient property industry continues to set the benchmark. Now is the time to build on that success and make moving home easier for everyone.

Richard Hepburn, Director of Scotland, Landmark Information Group