The UK has emerged as the slowest among the world’s 12 most developed countries in completing property sales, according to a recent analysis by proptech firm Moverly. The study highlights that, on average, it takes 179 days—or nearly six months—for a home in the UK to transition from being listed to the final sale. This sluggish pace places the UK well behind its international peers, with the country’s conveyancing process largely blamed for the delays.

In stark contrast, the United States demonstrates remarkable efficiency, with the entire process from listing to completion taking just 53 days on average. This means the UK’s property sale process is approximately 70% slower than that of the US. Across the 12 nations studied, the average time to complete a sale is 110 days, further underscoring the UK’s laggard position.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates (70 days), New Zealand (72 days), Canada (90 days), and Australia (95 days) also showcase more efficient systems, significantly outpacing the UK. On the other hand, nations where the property sale process closely mirrors the UK’s duration include Italy (159 days), Spain, Portugal, and Singapore (152 days).

Gemma Young, CEO of Moverly, attributes the UK’s sluggish performance to the unique challenges embedded within its property transaction process. She points out that the UK’s archaic conveyancing practices, coupled with lengthy periods during which buyers and sellers can legally withdraw from transactions, contribute significantly to the delays.

“It seems you have to move halfway around the world to access a decent home selling process,” Young remarked, noting the stark differences between the UK and its global counterparts. “The Americans are showing the rest of the world up while the UK is making everyone else look very good!”

Young further emphasized that conveyancers play a crucial role in the delays, suggesting that the legal frameworks governing property sales in the UK have remained unchanged for decades, if not longer, exacerbating the inefficiencies.

As the UK continues to struggle with these entrenched challenges, the findings highlight a growing need for reform to bring the country’s property sale process in line with global standards.