The most effective protection in a fast property sale is not redress after something goes wrong — it is due diligence before committing. The checks described in this guide take relatively little time and can significantly reduce the risk of entering a transaction with a buyer that cannot or will not complete on the agreed terms.
Table of Contents
Check 1: NAPB membership
NAPB membership should be verified directly on the NAPB website (napb.co.uk) by company name. A company not NAPB-registered is not automatically illegitimate, but absence of any voluntary membership reduces the accountability structures available if something goes wrong.78%of assessed companies are NAPB membersProperty Sale Watchdog
Check 2: Property Ombudsman registration
TPO registration is separate from NAPB membership and should be verified independently on the TPO website (tpos.co.uk). If the company is not TPO-registered, formal complaint routes if the transaction goes wrong are more limited.80%of assessed companies are TPO membersProperty Sale Watchdog
Check 3: Proof of funds
A legitimate cash buyer should provide evidence of available funds before the seller commits to the process — typically a bank statement, solicitor’s confirmation, or a letter from the buyer’s financial institution. A buyer unable or unwilling to provide proof of funds may be relying on funding not yet in place.
Check 4: Company registration and history
Search the company on Companies House. Review: how long it has been registered, filed accounts and visible assets, any County Court Judgements against the company or directors, and whether the company has changed its name multiple times.
Check 5: Independent reviews
Search for independent reviews on Trustpilot and Google Reviews. A high volume of very similar short positive reviews can indicate manipulation; detailed negative reviews describing specific practices are worth taking seriously.
Check 6: Contracts before exchange
Before signing any document, ask: Does this restrict my ability to withdraw? Is there a financial penalty if I withdraw before exchange? Is this an exclusivity or lock-in agreement? Have the answers confirmed in writing and reviewed by an independent solicitor before signing.
Check 7: Funding structure
Ask directly: how is this purchase funded? Is the money available now? Is the company itself the buyer or is it sourcing a third-party investor? A buyer transparent about its funding model is behaving as a credible counterparty. Evasiveness on these questions is a warning sign.
Summary checklist
- NAPB membership verified on napb.co.uk
- TPO registration verified on tpos.co.uk
- Proof of funds received in writing
- Company checked on Companies House
- CCJ search completed
- Independent reviews reviewed critically
- All pre-exchange documents reviewed by independent solicitor
- Funding structure confirmed in writing
Related guides: Why signing a contract with a cash buyer is never a good idea | How to avoid cash house buyer scams | Regulation and complaints
Vet the number, not just the buyer
Vetting a buyer is half the job — the other half is vetting the number. Our offer tool shows what genuine cash buyers typically pay — 75–85% of open-market value — so you can benchmark any offer you’ve been given before going further.
Step 1 is free and anonymous — no name, phone number or email, just basic property details. Step 2 is entirely optional — if the range works for you, you can ask to be introduced to a cash buyer we have vetted. Your details are never shared unless you ask, and never sold.
Benchmark the offer you’ve been given