A coalition of Welsh estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers has launched a new collaborative initiative, Move Wales, designed to tackle inefficiencies and improve communication within the home-moving process. The move comes as the UK government prepares to unveil its own proposals to reform a system ministers have described as slow and inefficient.
Move Wales aims to foster greater information sharing and coordination between the various professionals involved in a property transaction. Data from TwentyCi indicates that failed property transactions across England and Wales resulted in an estimated cost of £1 billion in 2024, with the average transaction taking approximately five months to reach completion from the initial listing. This new group seeks to mitigate such issues by encouraging better collaboration.
The initiative has garnered support from several key organisations, including FinTech Wales, PEXA, the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), and Legal News Wales. It is powered by openmoove, a Cardiff-based proptech firm. Early adopters and founding members include Harding Evans Solicitors, Carbon Law Partners, and Wrights Estate Agency, with more firms expected to join before a deadline of 26 June.
Ross McKenzie, co-founder of openmoove, highlighted the proactive approach of the Welsh professionals, stating that they are not content to wait for others to resolve the systemic issues. Similarly, Jack Wright, director of Wrights Estate Agency, emphasised the personal cost of fall-throughs for home movers and expressed his agency's commitment to being part of a solution from the outset.
As part of its efforts, Move Wales will host its inaugural Summer Social in Cardiff on 8 July 2026, bringing together property professionals for networking. Founding members will also have access to the openmoove platform, an optional tool designed to connect transaction parties. There are no subscription fees for the platform, with a fee of £25 plus VAT only payable upon successful completion of a transaction through the service, a rate available to Welsh firms joining the initiative.