The average time to exchange in the UK so far in 2026 is 134 days, or 4.4 months, according to the latest Property & Homemover Report from TwentyEA. The increase is backed up by data from Propertymark, whose member agents reported an average of 43% of housing transactions taking longer than 17 weeks to complete – a new overall peak.
The 134 day average reported by TwentyEA reflects a seven day, or 5.9%, increase on 2025. “Implementation of the outcomes of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation in Q4 2025 cannot happen soon enough, in our opinion,” TwentyEA wrote in its report.
Although the property data analysts say they are awaiting final guidance on the consultation, they add “it appears likely” measures due to be implemented following the consultation will include mandatory upfront property information, binding agreements earlier in the transaction process, digitalised core infrastructure, and qualifications and a professional code for estate agents.
Colin Bradshaw, CEO of TwentyCi, said: “We’re encouraged by the progress of the Ministory of Housing, Communites and Local Government’s consultation and feel positive about their approach to reducing timescales.
“In the meantime, we’re happy to report the 2026 property market seems to be continue to tick along nicely.”
Although demand has fallen 3% compared with 2025, Q1 2025 figures were artificially high due to the stamp duty holiday, TwentyEA’s report notes.
It adds: “When we compare Q’s performance with previous years, we get a clearer picture of market trends. Whilst transactions in Q1 were 3.9% lower than in 2025, the market is up 10.7% compared to Q1 2023 and 19.2% versus Q1 2024, highlighting a resilient property market so far this year.”
Propertymark’s insight report also suggests stability, with viewing numbers up slightly (2.5 per member branch compared to 2.2 the previous month) and prospective buyer registrations continuing to hover around the low 70s.
Despite previous months’ reports warning of rising market instability caused by the Middle East conflict, TwentyEA’s report suggests conditions may not be as bad as anticipated.
“At this stage, our data shows the war in the Middle East is not having a big impact on the UK property market,” it notes.
“At present, our view is that we may see slower transactions rather than a frozen market, depending on whether headwinds have a significant impact across the economy.”
Independent board adviser Alex Bannister added:
“Higher rates on fixed-term mortgages and concerns over the cost of living and doom/gloom in the news are not the backdrop to a booming housing market.
“However, despite greater uncertainty and higher petrol pump prices, underlying UK economic conditions have not changed markedly, so there is no cause for panic.”
4 responses
“Time to exchange” is a meaningless phrase without proper context. When did time start ticking? When the property was first marketed, or when an offer was accepted, or when a contract pack was issued?
Haven’t we been here before with Home Information Packs? It didn’t speed up the process then. Why would it now?
Oh yes it did and quite markedly in some areas – the main reasons were getting law firms instructed earlier and the removal of delays in ordering and receiving searches
It’s great to see mandation on the horizon, and in our experience upfront information makes a material difference to exchange times.
But progress doesn’t have to wait. There are already strong digital solutions out there supporting estate agents and conveyancers to modernise processes and move deals through more quickly, without waiting for regulation to catch up.