Useful contacts

From researching council tax to finding a property auctioneer, we give you all the contacts you need, all under one roof.

• Selling a property
• Property prices
• Buying a property
• Researching the property and area
• Mortgage advice
• Surveys
• Conveyancing/legal
• Removals
• Energy suppliers
• Problems after the move

Selling a property

Privately

• Lawpack - www.lawpack.co.uk
  The UK's self-help legal publisher that has tips on selling property privately.

With an agent

Although there is currently minimal formal regulation of estate agents, there are trade associations that enforce strict codes of practice. Check to see if an agent is a member. These trade bodies offer a good way of appealing should something go wrong and their aim is to ensure members provide the highest level of service to UK buyers and sellers.

• Ombudsman for Estate Agents
• National Association of Estate Agents

Property prices

• Land Registry
• Property Price Advice
• Department for Communities and Local Government House Price Index

Buying a property

Privately

Get independent tips on buying a property privately.

• Lawpack - www.lawpack.co.uk

Auction

Auctions are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell property because they offer a quick and simple property transaction within 28 days.

• www.propertyauctions.com
• www.ukauctionlist.com
• www.propertyauctionnews.co.uk

Researching the property and the area

Environment/flooding

Find out about environmental factors that may affect a property: flooding; subsidence; pollution; landfill sites; schools; crime rates; and planning information.

• Environment Agency
• Homecheck
  Environmental risks, planning risks, neighbourhood information
• Health Protection Agency
  Identifies areas where there's Radon - a natural radioactive gas thought to be cancer causing.

Specific property information

• Period property
  Advice on everything relating to period homes from renovating to insuring.

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