If you’re planning to sell your home in Thetford, there’s an important legal change you should be aware of. New material information rules are now in force, and they affect what sellers and estate agents must disclose when marketing a property.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is material information?
Material information refers to the key facts about a property that potential buyers need in order to make an informed decision.
This includes:
• The price of the property
• The number and type of rooms
• Utility information (such as heating and energy supply)
• The Council Tax band
• Any flood risks, parking details, or rights and restrictions
If your property is leasehold, material information also covers:
• The length of the lease
• Ground rent
• Service charges and any other associated costs
Why is material information important?
Providing accurate material information ensures that buyers have the full picture before making an offer.
Being upfront about these details helps attract the right buyers from the start and makes the conveyancing process smoother. Missing or inaccurate information can lead to delays — or even cause a sale to fall through later down the line.
The new rules explained
For several years, National Trading Standards issued guidance on what material information sellers should provide. That guidance has now been withdrawn following the introduction of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
The new law doesn’t list specific details that must be disclosed, but it makes it illegal to omit or misrepresent important information that could influence a buyer’s decision.
In other words, sellers — and their agents — must be transparent, fair and accurate when marketing a property.
What sellers should do
If you’re working with an experienced estate agent, they’ll handle most of this for you. Your agent will gather the necessary information and ensure it’s clearly presented in your listing.
Your role is simply to provide accurate answers when asked and share any relevant documents (such as lease details or certificates). Being open and honest avoids potential issues and builds trust with buyers.
Providing misleading or incomplete information could result in serious legal consequences, so it’s always best to err on the side of transparency.
If you’d like friendly, professional advice about selling your home in Thetford — including a free market valuation — our team can guide you through every step of the process.
Article by Andrew Overman | Partner | Location Location East
