Bettermove has launched a chain-mending service aimed at allowing estate agents, landlords and sellers to keep transactions on track when property chains break down.

The UK property solutions company said the launch was in response to a persistent issue in the market, with around one in four property chains collapsing.

The service allows agents or vendors to bring in Bettermove when a buyer pulls out. In these cases, the company can purchase the property directly, enabling the wider chain to proceed.

Once the chain completes, the property is relisted with the original estate agent, allowing them to secure their fee and continue marketing the home.

Bettermove said the model is designed to keep agents involved throughout the process, while reducing disruption for buyers and sellers caught in broken chains.

Adele Biggs, associate consultant at Bettermove, said: “Our chain-mending service is all about protecting deals from collapse for estate agents and sellers. 

“We step in quickly to make sure deals don’t fall apart, agents protect their fees, and everyone can keep transactions progressing with less stress and uncertainty, even in complex chains involving multiple linked transactions.”

The company said chain-mending services remain “relatively uncommon” in the wider property market, with most similar approaches typically associated with housebuilders and developers.

The launch forms part of Bettermove’s broader offering, which also includes part-exchange and investor-focused services.