One in five UK home sellers may unknowingly be delaying their own property transactions by failing to provide key details required for property listings, according to research from Moverly, a provider of Material Information and Digital Sale Ready packs. The survey highlights a significant gap in awareness regarding legally required information, potentially contributing to slower sales and compliance risks for estate agents.

Sellers in the dark about material information
Moverly’s survey of current UK home sellers revealed that 20% were unaware of what constitutes Material Information or its importance in property transactions. Material Information refers to legally required details about a property, broken into three categories:

• Part A: Essential details, such as council tax band, asking price, and tenure.
• Part B: Physical characteristics like the number of rooms and utility arrangements.
• Part C: Conditional information, including listed building status, unsafe cladding, or planning permissions.

Shockingly, 23% of sellers admitted they were unsure or had not fully provided the necessary Part A details, while 37% failed to meet Part C requirements. In addition, 37% of respondents said their estate agent had not advised or guided them on the importance of providing this information.

Consequences for sellers and agents
Failing to provide complete Material Information not only risks delays but also exposes estate agents to significant penalties. Starting from April 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will oversee Material Information compliance. Agents could face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover for failing to ensure listings meet these requirements.

Gemma Young, CEO of Moverly, explained, “While Material Information requirements are becoming increasingly important for property listings, there’s still a clear knowledge gap in the market, particularly with consumers who haven’t heard or don’t understand the purpose of it.”

Young emphasised that collaboration is essential: “By working together—agents, proptech providers, and industry bodies—we can help sellers understand how providing this information early creates faster, smoother transactions for everyone involved. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a more efficient property market.”