'Urgent need for reform': Northern Ireland home movers hit hardest by failed property sales and frustrating process, new report find

Homebuyers and sellers in Northern Ireland are more likely than anywhere else in the UK to see a property transaction fall through, according to new research.

A study of more than 5,000 recent home movers by the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) found that 77% of respondents in Northern Ireland had experienced a property purchase collapsing before completion.

The figure is significantly higher than the UK average and represents the highest rate of failed transactions among all UK regions.

The research suggests that unsuccessful property deals are creating a domino effect of delays, additional costs and emotional stress for buyers and sellers, while inefficiencies in the home-moving process continue to frustrate consumers.

According to the report, the structure of Northern Ireland's housing market may be contributing to the problem.

The region has the lowest proportion of first-time buyers in the UK, accounting for just 26.1% of purchasers compared with a national average of around 30%.

A greater reliance on existing homeowners and property chains can increase the likelihood of delays and transactions falling through before completion.

The study also found that home movers in Northern Ireland are more likely than those elsewhere in the UK to be asked repeatedly for the same information during the buying and selling process, pointing to ongoing issues with data sharing and coordination between different parties involved in transactions.

The cumulative effect appears to be damaging confidence in the housing market.

Nearly three-quarters (73.5%) of respondents in Northern Ireland said their experience had put them off moving home again, making them the most discouraged group of home movers anywhere in the UK.

The findings form part of the OPDA's annual Future of Homebuying report, one of the largest studies of home-moving experiences and trends across the UK.

While experiences varied by region, the report identified common frustrations nationwide, including lengthy delays, poor communication, repeated requests for information and continued reliance on manual processes.

Overall, almost four in five respondents (78%) agreed that the home-moving process requires fundamental reform.

Maria Harris, chair of the OPDA, said buying or selling a home remained one of life's most significant financial and emotional commitments.

"It should be a milestone that supports our goals and life events, yet too often the experience falls short of expectations," she said.

"What this research clearly shows is that while experiences can vary by region, the underlying challenges are consistent across the UK.

"Too many consumers are still dealing with poor communication, repeated requests for information and delays that make the process feel unnecessarily complex and frustrating."

She added that there was growing demand for a more modern and connected home-buying system: "People want a system that reflects how we live today — one that is faster, more transparent and better connected.

"The findings reinforce the urgent need for reform and the growing role that better use of property data can play in improving the experience.

"By transforming how information is shared, we have a real opportunity to make homebuying more efficient, more certain and far less stressful for everyone involved."

The OPDA is working with lenders, brokers, conveyancers, estate agents, technology firms and government bodies to develop standards aimed at modernising the home-buying process and improving the sharing of property information across the sector.