"The moment we see the big fines coming down, the agents are on board."
- Beth Rudolph, Director of Delivery, The Conveyancing Association
On Friday 11th July 2025, a statement was made that should send a chill through every independent estate agent in the UK.
Beth Rudolph, co-chair of the Home Buying and Selling Council, publicly called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to fine estate agents into compliance with the new Material Information regulations under the DMCC Act 2024.
Let that sink in.
The industry isn't just anticipating enforcement.
It's actively calling for it.
"A Couple of Hefty Fines" to Focus the Mind?
According to this article published in Today's Conveyancer, Rudolph made her position clear:
"I'm confident the CMA will start by asking for undertakings from agents to comply, and if they do not comply then they will be fined."
This isn't hypothetical. It's a direct warning.
And it's a clear strategy:
- Start with a few headline agents.
- Make the fines substantial.
- Use fear to bring the rest of the industry into line.
When Collaboration Turns to Coercion
Let's be honest. Collaboration across the property industry has always been difficult. But when regulatory figures begin to weaponise compliance, we don't just lose trust - we lose control.
Many agents, especially independents, have worked tirelessly for years - navigating market volatility, stamp duty chaos, and the pressure of rising portal fees - only now to be targeted for punishment.
Is that really reform?
Or is it the barrel of a gun dressed up as compliance?
Where Was the Support?
Here's the irony.
We at WiggyWam have held multiple conversations with the very individuals now demanding fines. We offered ideas. We proposed collaboration. We asked: How do we make this seamless for agents and conveyancers alike?
And what did we get in return?
Not solutions.
Not support.
But an invitation…
- to buy into their expensive membership scheme…
That's not reform. That's self-interest wrapped in policy.
The Real Problem Isn't Agents. It's the Process.
No one is arguing that change isn't needed.
The buying and selling process in the UK has become painfully slow, riddled with fall-throughs, and frustrating for everyone involved. We know Material Information is essential.
But let's stop pretending that agents are the enemy.
The real issues lie in:
- Poor collaboration
- Unsustainable referral models
- Overloaded conveyancers
- And a lack of proper digital infrastructure
Punishing agents for these failures won't fix the system. It'll only cripple those trying to serve clients honestly and efficiently.
You Now Have A Choice To Make
Agents are now clearly being funnelled into two paths:
Do nothing, and get dragged into compliance through:
- Hefty CMA fines
- Increased regulation
- Red tape
- Public shaming
OR
Take action now - on your terms - and:
- Speed up sales
- Secure better instructions
- Improve client experience
- Remain compliant, without lifting a finger
That's what Profitable Material Information Compliance offers.
And that's what we've built at WiggyWam.
This Isn't a Threat. It's a Crossroads.
We're not the ones calling for fines.
But make no mistake: they're coming.
And the people asking for them have the ear of government.
So you can either:
- Wait and hope you're not on the CMA's shortlist
- Or take the initiative, and make Material Information work for you, not against you
Final Thought: The Corporates Are Already Doing It…
Newsflash - the corporate giants have already started moving.
They've embraced seller packs, pre-market compliance, and platform coordination.
Why?
Because it's faster.
It's smarter.
And - most importantly - it's profitable.
So if you're an independent agent trying to keep pace while protecting your margins, this is your wake-up call:
Don't wait for the fine. Get ahead of the curve
Book a no-pressure conversation with us today to see how Profitable Material Information Compliance can:
- Protect your business
- Strengthen your pipeline
- And give your clients what they actually want
Because change is coming. Better to lead it than be punished by it.
You can read the original articles below:
CLC member calls for CMA to turn its attention to material information, with 'a couple of hefty fines' | Today's Conveyancer
