Property chains cost buyers £2,000

Long property chains are significantly increasing costs for home buyers, with Barclays reporting an average added expense of £2,000 due to delays and breakdowns. Approximately 32% of recent buyers and sellers were involved in such chains, with nearly half experiencing issues. Those affected incurred additional costs averaging £2,127, stemming from wasted surveys and solicitor fees. Current mortgage data indicates a UK deposit average of £59,057, higher for first-time buyers. Experts highlight that increasing transaction times are frustrating buyers, leading many to withdraw from sales due to delays and rising costs. Jatin Patel, head of mortgages at Barclays, said: "Movers often face battles on two fronts as the abundance of long property chains adds acute stress into the process."

The Independent (17/02/2026)   The Standard (17/02/2026)