When you’re buying or selling a home, discovering you are part of a ‘chain’ can feel like a mix of progress and panic. Suddenly, your move depends not just on you, but on a series of other people, their solicitors, their surveys and mortgage offers etc. It’s one of the most common causes of stress and delay during the conveyancing process. But the good news? With the right approach and legal support, many chain-related problems can be anticipated – or even avoided altogether.
Here’s everything you need to know about how chains work, why delays happen, and what you can do to keep your move moving forward.
What is a Property Chain?
A property chain is a sequence of linked transactions where each purchase is dependant on the success of the one before it. So, for example, you’re buying a house from someone who also needs to buy their next home. The property at the bottom of the chain needs to exchange contracts first, then the next and so on. The chain then continues until it either ends with a first-time buyer (with nothing to sell), or starts with a seller who isn’t buying another property (e.g selling a second home or moving into rented accommodation).
The challenge? Every transaction in the chain must complete on the same day – which means if one link is delayed, the whole chain is held up.
Why do Chains Cause Delays?
Chains can work smoothly, but they’re also vulnerable to unexpected setbacks. Some of the most common causes of delays include:
- Other Sellers & Buyers Aren’t Ready
- A seller hasn’t found their next home.
- A buyer pulls out or changes their mind.
- Someone in the chain is still arranging their mortgage.
2. Slow Legal Progress in Another Link
- A different solicitor may not respond quickly.
- Enquiries or document requests aren’t dealt with promptly.
- Parties may be using outdated or manual processes.
3. Problems with Property Searches or Surveys
- Survey findings that raise red flags (e.g damp, subsidence).
- Disputes over repair work or price renegotiation.
4. Mortgage or Financial Complications
- Lender delays in issuing the formal mortgage offer.
- A buyer needs more time to arrange deposit funds.
- Revaluations cause chains to fall apart.
5. Last-Minute Changes or Negotiations
- Moving dates need to be adjusted.
- Contracts aren’t exchanged until very close to the deadline.
- One party tries to renegotiate terms at the final stage.
What You Can Do to Keep It Moving
While you can’t control every link in the chain, there are several steps you can take to reduce risk and avoid unnecessary delays.
- Choose an efficient, proactive conveyancer. A proactive conveyancer will chase other solicitors when needed, keep estate agents in the loop, and flag risks early so you’re never caught off guard.
- Be legally prepared from day one. Sellers should complete their property information forms, provide ID, and gather documentation early – even before a buyer is found. Buyers should have mortgage agreements in principle and funds ready to go.
- Maintain regular (but balanced) communication. Check in weekly with your conveyancer for updates, and make sure that your estate agent is doing the same up and down the chain. It helps to be responsive so be sure to reply to any requests from your solicitor quickly.
- Stay flexible with dates. Avoid setting unrealistic or fixed deadlines too early. Also if you’re renting or selling, consider temporary accommodation as a fallback in case of a delayed completion.
- Know the Warning Signs. Your conveyancer should alert you if there are red flags elsewhere in the chain – like missing paperwork, an unresponsive solicitor, or a party still not legally ready. The earlier these issues are flagged, the more options you have to protect your move.
How Simply Move Home Can Help
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