Homebuyers hoping to complete before Christmas face increasingly tight deadlines, with leasehold transactions and lengthy property chains particularly vulnerable to delays.

Research highlighted by Moving Compared shows that the average UK property transaction now takes around 170 days to complete, while 23% of agreed sales initially fall through.

With fewer than 80 days remaining until Christmas, buyers and sellers entering the market in October are therefore likely to face completion dates in 2027 unless their transactions progress considerably faster than average.

The figures underline the different prospects facing buyers with straightforward transactions and those dealing with more complicated legal arrangements, particularly where several properties are involved in a chain.

LEASEHOLD TRANSACTIONS TAKE LONGER

Figures from Connells Group show that leasehold properties took an average of 155 days to progress from offer acceptance to exchange of contracts in April, compared with 97 days for freehold homes.

The difference of 58 days highlights the additional time that can be required for leasehold enquiries, documentation and legal checks.

Connells also found that 17% of transactions took more than six months to reach exchange, illustrating the difficulties of predicting completion dates even when a sale has been agreed.

Buyers without a property to sell, particularly those who already have mortgage arrangements and conveyancing work in place, may still be able to complete before Christmas.

However, purchasers involved in longer chains or buying leasehold properties face a greater risk of transactions extending into the new year.

CHAIN DELAYS ADD TO UNCERTAINTY

Moving Compared warns that the pressure to complete before the festive period can become particularly problematic when several households are working towards the same deadline.

A delayed survey, outstanding legal enquiry or missing document affecting one property can prevent an entire chain from progressing.

Mortgage approvals, property searches and conveyancing checks must also be completed, regardless of the preferred moving date.

The company says buyers and sellers should concentrate on reducing avoidable delays rather than assuming a Christmas completion can be guaranteed.

Early instruction of conveyancers, preparation of relevant property documentation and prompt responses to enquiries can help transactions progress more efficiently.

However, it cautions against allowing pressure to meet a deadline to compromise important legal and surveying checks.

The findings come as the government has identified transaction speed and reliability as areas requiring improvement in its 2026 homebuying reform roadmap.

For estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage intermediaries, the figures reinforce the importance of managing clients’ expectations about likely completion dates, particularly when transactions involve leasehold properties or lengthy chains.

Moving Compared also points to the importance of buyers understanding the full costs associated with moving, rather than concentrating solely on completing before the Christmas break.