House Buyer Bureau’s figures, which factor in inflation, estimated rises in legal fees and recent house price data, showed that the average cost of a fall-through to a seller was £3,544 in the first quarter, a fall of 0.2% on the previous quarter. That figure is 2.1% higher than the average recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the report, the modest drop in the average cost per fall-through has been outweighed by the greater number of transactions collapsing, adding further strain to the housing market’s finances.
UK residential fall-throughs: volume and total cost, Q1 2024 to Q1 2026
Source: House Buyer Bureau Fall-Through Index, based on TwentyCi data. Q2 2025–Q1 2026 figures are estimates.
“After a significant reduction in fall-through activity at the end of last year, it’s disappointing to see the number of collapsed transactions move back in the wrong direction during the opening months of 2026,” said Chris Hodgkinson (pictured right), managing director at House Buyer Bureau.
“While the average financial hit associated with a failed sale has remained broadly stable, it’s the increase in the number of transactions falling apart that is the real concern. Every fall-through represents wasted time, uncertainty, and additional expense for those involved, particularly sellers who often find themselves having to restart the process from scratch.
“The challenge is that many of the factors driving fall-throughs remain difficult to control. Affordability pressures, changing buyer circumstances, and wider economic uncertainty can all derail a transaction at the last minute. As a result, certainty continues to be a key priority for many homeowners. For a growing number of sellers, reducing the risk of a sale collapsing is becoming just as important as achieving the highest possible price.”
