Property chain risk checker
Five questions, instant 0–100 risk score. Highlights the fragile links and the top three things to do about them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a property chain?
A chain is a sequence of linked property transactions where each buyer needs the sale of their current home to fund the next. If any link falls through, every transaction in the chain stalls.
How likely is a chain to collapse?
Industry data suggests roughly one in three UK sales falls through before completion, with the rate higher for chains of three or more properties. Repossession, probate, and divorce sales increase the risk further.
How can I reduce chain risk as a buyer?
Buy chain-free where possible, insist on weekly written status updates from each agent in the chain, and set a written exchange deadline. Bridging finance can break the dependency where the timing matters.
What does a "no anchor" chain mean?
A chain with no chain-free first-time buyer or cash buyer at the bottom. Every link must complete in lockstep, which is the most fragile chain shape.
Sources & references
Cost ranges, timeframes, and checklist items shown on this page are drawn from the following authoritative sources.
This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. For decisions affecting a specific purchase, sale, or move, consult a qualified solicitor, conveyancer, or surveyor.