What material information must be disclosed when selling?
Material information is anything an average buyer needs to make an informed decision about a property, such as tenure, council tax band, utilities, flood risk or building safety issues. Estate agents must not leave it out of their marketing, and National Trading Standards guidance sets it out in three parts: A, B and C.
Read more in our guide: Off-market property sales
Material information Parts A, B and C
| Part | Examples |
|---|---|
| Part A | Price, council tax band or rates, tenure |
| Part B | Property type, construction, rooms, utilities, parking, heating, broadband, mobile signal |
| Part C | Building safety, restrictions, rights and easements, flood and erosion risk, planning, accessibility, mining |
Where the duty comes from
Consumer protection law treats leaving out information that an average consumer needs as a misleading omission. Since April 2025 these rules sit in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. National Trading Standards guidance explains how they apply to property listings, and agents in England are expected to follow it.
What it means for landlords
Agents will ask you for information to complete the listing. For rental property this includes the tenancy position: a buyer needs to know if a property is let, on what terms, and whether the tenant is likely to stay. Known problems such as cladding, damp, short leases or disputes are also material. Giving honest answers protects you from claims later.
Off-market and investor sales
In an off-market sale to professional investors, the same information is usually supplied in a data room and through the conveyancing enquiries. The principle is the same: no surprises, and no grounds for a buyer to claim they were misled.
Official Sources and Further Reading
- National Trading Standards: material information in property listings
- GOV.UK: estate agency business guidance
General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Material information is anything an average buyer needs to make an informed decision about a property, such as tenure, council tax band, utilities, flood risk or building safety issues. Estate agents must not leave it out of their marketing, and National Trading Standards guidance sets it out in three parts: A, B and C.
The agent is responsible for what appears in the marketing, but relies on the seller's answers. A seller who gives false answers can face a misrepresentation claim from the buyer.
Yes. Tenure and occupation are material, and an investor's price depends on the tenancy details.
The guidance covers the UK, but Scotland also has the Home Report system for residential sales.
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