Home movers in Northern Ireland are more likely than anywhere else in the UK to see their property purchase fall through, according to new research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).
The study of more than 5,000 recent home movers1 found that 77% of those in Northern Ireland have experienced a property transaction collapsing, significantly higher than the UK average and the highest of any region.
Repeated setbacks drive frustration.
Failed transactions can create a domino effect of delays, added costs and emotional strain — and the research suggests this is being compounded by inefficiencies in the process.
The structure of the market in Northern Ireland may also be contributing to these challenges. The region has the lowest proportion of first-time buyers in the UK, at just 26.1%, compared to a national average of around 30%. This suggests a higher reliance on existing homeowners and property chains, which can increase the risk of delays and failed transactions.
Home movers in Northern Ireland are also more likely than any other region to be asked for the same information multiple times, highlighting persistent issues around poor data sharing and lack of coordination between parties.
This combination of repeated admin and failed transactions is taking its toll.
Nearly three quarters (73.5%) of Northern Ireland home movers say the experience has put them off moving again, making them the most discouraged region in the UK.
A system under pressure
The findings point to a homebuying process that is not only prone to failure, but also places unnecessary strain on buyers and sellers.
Repeated requests for documents, combined with the risk of transactions collapsing, can leave consumers feeling stuck in a cycle of uncertainty and frustration.
Regional differences, same frustrations
The findings are published in the OPDA’s annual Future of Homebuying report 2026, one of the largest studies of home moving trends and experiences in the UK.
While the report highlights significant regional variation in how people experience moving home, it also identifies shared frustrations across the country, including long delays, poor communication between parties, duplicate requests for information and reliance on manual processes.
Nearly four in five respondents (78%) agree that the home moving experience needs fundamental reform.
Maria Harris, Chair of the OPDA, said: “Buying or selling a home remains one of the most significant financial and emotional commitments that most of us will ever make. It should be a milestone that supports our goals and life events, yet too often the experience falls short of expectations.
“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.
“Encouragingly, there is clear appetite for change. 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 building the framework and standards that will transform the housing market, working in collaboration with lenders, brokers, conveyancers, estate agents, technology and proptech firms, as well as Government bodies.
For more information on OPDA, visit: https://openpropdata.org.uk/.
