A third of UK homes for sale are “chain-free” reports Zoopla

New research into the UK housing market by Zoopla shows that a third of UK homes for sale are “chain-free”.

Key points from research:

• • Recent tax changes and incoming council tax premiums for second homes have unsettled property investors and second homeowners with some now looking to sell 
  • One week on from the Autumn budget, buyer enquiries for homes that are chain-free are 33 per cent higher compared to those not advertised as chain-free
  • 41 per cent of two bed homes for sale are currently listed as chain-free on Zoopla
  • The North-West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the South-West have the highest proportion of chain-free homes currently for sale, each at 36 per cent 

A third (32 per cent) of homes for sale on Zoopla are currently chain-free, as investors and second homeowners have looked to sell amidst expected changes to the way second homes are taxed.

From April 2025, councils will be able to charge a premium of up to 100 per cent in additional council tax on second homes, a factor that second homeowners will be taking into account when making their selling or purchasing decisions. 

Chain-free homes often complete faster than other properties, making them an attractive prospect for those hoping to finalise their property purchases before the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) rates in England and Northern Ireland increase in April 2025.

One week on from the budget, chain-free homes are attracting more interest compared to homes not advertised as chain-free, with listing views seeing an average increase of nine per cent and a 33 per cent average increase in buyer enquiries.

This interest is likely to increase further as homeowners and first-time buyers make last-minute offers in a bid to avoid higher SDLT bills.

Whilst affordability remains a concern for many first-time buyers, encouragingly 41 per cent of two bed homes are currently listed as chain-free on Zoopla. Two-bed properties are often popular with older buyers looking to downsize, as well as landlords and investors, so are more likely to be chain free when they come on to the market than other types of homes. 

The North-West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West have the highest proportion of chain-free homes at 36 per cent, due in part to the second home hotspots within these areas, such as Carlisle (near the Lake District) and the Bournemouth Coast. 

Table 1: Proportion of chain-free homes for sale by region:

Source: Zoopla

In the North of the country, Hull has a large proportion of homes for sale that are chain-free at 46.2 per cent, the most common type being a two-bed home.

In the South, London suburbs and towns within more affordable areas of the commuter belt tend to have an above average number of chain-free homes for sale, such as Uxbridge at 44.7 per cent, the most common type of home being a three-bed property.

This is good news for first-time buyers searching for small starter homes in these areas.  

Table 2: Postal areas with large percentages of homes chain-free:

Source: Zoopla

The proportion of homes available to buy without a chain tends to increase in the final months of the year, peaking in January – the most popular time of the year to list a home for sale. 

Izabella Lubowiecka, Senior Property Researcher at Zoopla, comments:

“There are several reasons why a home might be chain-free.

“Individuals may be selling an inherited home, households might be moving in together, going from two homes to one, or investors and second owners could be selling additional property.

“Those looking at buying a home before stamp duty rates increase in April 2025 should think about buying a chain-free home as they tend to complete much faster.

“Now is a great time to look for properties, with more chain-free homes available than in previous months.

“Widening a search to include new homes might also offer a wider range of choice.”

Kindly shared by Zoopla