Following the withdrawal of NTSELAT’s guidance, many across the industry have questioned what happens next – especially with no replacement guidance currently in place, despite Material Information now sitting within the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act 2024.
But this isn’t the end – it’s a transition.
New guidance will likely come, but one thing remains unchanged: Estate Agents are still legally required to provide accurate, comprehensive and complete Material Information in property listings. What’s uncertain is how this will be defined in future, and whether that definition will evolve. Right now, that ambiguity is already creating confusion – and it’s a gap that needs closing, fast.
We’ve said before that Material Information represents the sector’s biggest opportunity – and despite the ongoing back and forth, that still holds true. Other countries, from Scotland to Norway, are leading the way and showing what’s possible. With upfront information in place, fall-through rates have dropped by as much as 60%. That’s empowered agents to charge higher fees, with better client satisfaction to match.
Closer to home, we’ve seen first-hand the value of upfront information through 15 years of Auction. It’s been a key factor in speeding up completion timeframes and reducing fall-throughs. It underpins Auction’s 56-day* completions and has enabled thousands of buyers to meet critical deadlines like the SDLT cut-off – helping to unlock essential tax savings for buyers and deliver a faster pipeline turn for our Partner Agents.
And it doesn’t stop at Auction. We’re bringing the same approach to Private Treaty too, helping agents get properties exchange-ready faster. Our Premium Conveyancing service gathers title checks, searches and answers to standard enquiries upfront – reducing delays and minimising fall-through risk. The result? An average completion time of 79 days, and a fall-through rate of just 7%, compared with the 2024 average of 160 days, according to Landmark Information Group.
Our movebutler solution continues to support agents in collecting Material Information, easing the admin burden and helping teams stay compliant – something we’ve championed since NTSELAT’s original guidance first came into play.
Material Information remains critical to creating a faster, more efficient and secure property market. The evidence is clear. What’s needed now is greater clarity – and for agents to see this as a competitive advantage, not just a compliance challenge.
We’ll be monitoring developments closely alongside our trusted experts and Partner Agents and will continue to share updates and guidance as soon as more clarity becomes available.
Upfront Material Information is an opportunity for agents to strengthen relationships with clients, speed up transactions, and stand out in a competitive market.
Find out how upfront Material Information can reduce buyer hesitation, build trust and keep sales on track.
Despite guidance from NTSELAT, key Material Information is still missing from property listings. Read on to find out how the lack of transparency can lead to costly issues and how movebutler can help.
In today's fast-paced property market, Estate Agents are looking for ways to enhance speed and delight clients. Effective use of Material Information could be key.
