Property Chain Tracker

Who this is for

The whole chain on one page. List every link from the bottom to the top, who is buying and selling, their agent and solicitor, and where each party has got to with the mortgage, survey and searches. It shows at a glance which link is holding things up.

Anyone buying or selling in a chain, especially where there are several links and updates arrive piecemeal through different agents.

What this helps you track

• Your own place in the chain and the date everyone is aiming for
• Each property in the chain, with the people and firms behind it
• Mortgage offer, survey and search status for every link
• Which parties say they are ready to exchange
• The weakest link, and what it is waiting for

How to use it

1. Write your position in the chain, your agent's contact and the target exchange date at the top.
2. List the links from the bottom of the chain, usually a first-time buyer or a vacant property, up to the top.
3. For each link record the property, the buyer or seller, their agent and solicitor.
4. Fill in the status columns as updates come in, and write the date in the last update column.
5. Note the link that looks weakest and why in the box at the foot of the page.
6. Ask your agent to confirm anything you are unsure of rather than filling gaps with guesses.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

How do I find out who is in the chain?

Your estate agent is usually the best source, and can pass on what other agents tell them. You will not always get names; a short description of each property is enough.

What makes a link weak?

Anything outstanding that could delay or stop that sale, such as no mortgage offer yet, a survey problem or a party who has not found a home. The notes box is there to record your view and the reason.

Should I record personal details of other parties?

Keep it to what you need, such as a first name or the street, and keep the sheet private. Most information will reach you second hand through the agents.

Does the chain tracker replace my solicitor's updates?

No. It is your own summary of what you have been told. Your solicitor or conveyancer confirms the formal position before exchange.