Home movers spent an additional 43% over their allocated budget for home moving essentials including conveyancing, searches and surveys when their home moves were delayed or broke down as a result of chain related issues, according to data from Barclays.
A third of UK adults (32%) who bought or sold a home in the last three years were part of a property chain, with 46% of this group reporting delays or transaction breakdowns. Buyers and sellers said they budgeted an average of £4,954 for third party expenses, such as surveys or legal costs. However, these costs can rise when chains break down, with those who experienced problems or the breakdown of their housing chain saying they spent an additional £2,127 on average – 43% over their anticipated budget.
The figures come from Barclays Property Insights report and reveal unexpected expenses related to chains are causing homeowners to put off future moves, or be more prescriptive in their choice of buyer or property.
Buyers and sellers pulling out (22%) remain the largest contributor to chains falling apart, with 13% of participants saying their transaction was ‘gazumped’ and 11% saying the transaction was ‘gazundered’. One in seven admit to trying one of these tactics themselves, resulting in the transaction collapsing.
As a result, home movers say they will delay moving for as long as possible because of the stress involved (28%). A quarter (24%) hope to find their ‘forever home’ to avoid moving again in the future; a sentiment backed up by data which suggests semi-detached and detached homes continue to dominate completions across most UK regions, reflecting both the desire to find a property suitable for future family development, and the general availability of housing stock.
Of the home-movers questioned, 15% said they would exclusively sell to a cash or first-time buyer in future, while 13% would seek a new build to avoid chains.
For first-time buyers, there are signs of easing barriers with the increased availability of high loan-to-value mortgages, Barclays said. However, deposits remain challenging, particularly in regions with higher property values such as Greater London.
Barclays’ mortgage data shows the average UK deposit was £59,057 last month, and slightly higher among first-time buyers at £62,272. Deposit variation between regions is stark, reflecting local property prices, and ranging from a £36,161 on average in the North to over four times that in Greater London – reaching £152,503. In the capital, around three in 10 renters cite cost of a deposit as one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, with property prices topping the list at 43%.
Though deposits remain a top concern, renters’ confidence in the prospect of homeownership has risen slightly: 15% of respondents believe they could buy a home within the next 12 months, compared with 12% of those questioned in December. The number of renters who say they couldn’t buy without financial support from family has also eased to 52%, from 59% in December.
Jatin Patel, head of mortgages, savings and insurance at Barclays, said:
“Movers often face battles on two fronts, as the abundance of long property chains adds acute stress into the process. The new build market can provide part of the solution, removing the chain links on the sell-side, but we also support reforms to modernise, digitise and ease the tension in the home-buying system.”
“The start of 2026 has shown encouraging signs for prospective buyers. Higher loan-to-value products have eased deposit requirements, with first-time buyers beginning to reap the benefits. However regional disparities underscore the importance of working with local brokers and to bring homeowners bespoke solutions for their needs.”
Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist at Barclays, said:
“In addition to frictions in the process, the UK housing market has also to contend with a mixed macroeconomic picture. Growth slowed in the second half of 2025 and the UK labour market is still softening.
“That said, the consumer remains broadly resilient, suggesting that growth could rebound in 2026. As we look into the first half of the year, political uncertainty and key local elections scheduled for May could lead to a ‘wait and see’ approach for businesses and consumers alike.”
