What are the main types of quick house sale company?

Four broad models operate in the UK: a principal cash buyer using its own funds, a lead generator that sells your details on to other firms, a broker or network that matches you to investors, and auction or modern method of auction platforms. Each has a different fee structure and level of price certainty.

How do I check a cash house buyer is genuine?

Check the company at Companies House for filing history and directors, ask for proof of funds, check membership of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) and The Property Ombudsman (TPO), and confirm in writing that there is no upfront fee and the price will not be cut after survey without reason.

Is it free to use a cash house buying company?

A genuine principal cash buyer does not charge you a fee and pays your legal costs. If a company asks for money upfront, an admin charge, or a survey fee before any offer, treat that as a warning sign.

What is price chipping?

Price chipping is when a buyer agrees a figure, ties you into a contract or exclusivity period, then reduces the offer close to completion, betting that you are too committed to walk away. Ask any company in writing whether the price can change after survey and under what conditions.

Should I use a lead generator or a principal buyer?

A principal buyer purchases the property directly with its own funds, which usually means fewer parties involved and a more direct relationship. A lead generator sells your enquiry to third parties, so you may end up dealing with a company you did not originally contact. Ask directly which one you are speaking to.

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Name: The Quick House Buyers — London
Address: Level 6, Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London, England, SW10 0XF, GB
Telephone: 020 3744 0249

Written and reviewed by Kris McClory, Head of PurchasesLast reviewed 6 August 2026

Quick house sale companies fall into four models: a principal cash buyer, a lead generator, a broker network, or an auction platform. Before you sign anything, check Companies House, ask for proof of funds, confirm NAPB and TPO membership, and get the no-upfront-fee promise in writing.

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What are the four business models?

Not every company advertising a "quick house sale" works the same way. Understanding which model you are dealing with tells you who actually has the money, who is being paid a fee, and how firm the price is likely to stay.

Principal cash buyer. Buys with its own capital or a committed fund, and completes the purchase itself. There is no third party in between you and the buyer.
Lead generator. Collects your details through advertising, then sells or passes your enquiry to other companies for a fee. You may end up contacted by several different buyers you never approached.
Broker or network. Matches your property to a panel of investors and takes a fee, either from you or from the eventual buyer, for making the introduction.
Auction or modern method of auction (MMoA). Sets a fixed date for sale by competitive bidding, either a traditional legal-completion auction or a conditional MMoA sale with a reservation fee paid by the buyer.

How do the four models compare?

General comparison of quick house sale business models

General comparison of quick house sale business models
Model	Who buys	Who pays fees	Price certainty	Typical timescale
Principal cash buyer	The company itself, using its own funds	Buyer pays legal fees, no fee to seller if genuine	High once confirmed in writing after survey	As little as 7 days, or a date you choose
Lead generator	A third party you did not originally contact	Varies, check who is actually charging you	Depends entirely on the eventual buyer	Depends on which buyer picks up the lead
Broker or network	An investor from the broker's panel	Often a broker fee built into the price you're offered	Can move as investors do their own due diligence	Usually a few weeks longer than a direct buyer
Auction / MMoA	Whoever wins the bidding, subject to reserve	Buyer usually pays a reservation or admin fee	No sale until the reserve is met and contracts exchange	Set auction date, completion 4 to 8 weeks after

What checks should I run on any company?

Companies House. Search the company name and check incorporation date, filing history, and director details at companieshouse.gov.uk.
Proof of funds. A genuine cash buyer should be able to evidence access to funds, either its own or a committed facility.
NAPB membership. The National Association of Property Buyers sets a code of practice for this sector. Check the current member list at napb.co.uk.
TPO membership. The Property Ombudsman gives you somewhere to complain if things go wrong. Check tpos.co.uk for current members.
Written offer, no upfront fee. Get any offer in writing, and treat a request for money before completion as a serious warning sign.
Price locked after survey. Ask in writing whether the figure can move once a survey has taken place, and under what specific conditions.

What are the warning signs?

Pressure to sign an exclusivity or option agreement before you have seen a written offer.
A request for a fee, deposit, or survey cost before any contract exists.
An initial figure that drops sharply close to completion with a vague explanation.
No verifiable trading history, physical address, or Companies House record.
Reluctance to confirm in writing who is actually buying the property.

For a step-by-step checklist, see how to check a cash house buyer. For a full breakdown of a direct sale against an agent or an auction, see our pages below.

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Common questions

What are the main types of quick house sale company?: Four broad models operate in the UK: a principal cash buyer using its own funds, a lead generator that sells your details on to other firms, a broker or network that matches you to investors, and auction or modern method of auction platforms. Each has a different fee structure and level of price certainty.
How do I check a cash house buyer is genuine?: Check the company at Companies House for filing history and directors, ask for proof of funds, check membership of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) and The Property Ombudsman (TPO), and confirm in writing that there is no upfront fee and the price will not be cut after survey without reason.
Is it free to use a cash house buying company?: A genuine principal cash buyer does not charge you a fee and pays your legal costs. If a company asks for money upfront, an admin charge, or a survey fee before any offer, treat that as a warning sign.
What is price chipping?: Price chipping is when a buyer agrees a figure, ties you into a contract or exclusivity period, then reduces the offer close to completion, betting that you are too committed to walk away. Ask any company in writing whether the price can change after survey and under what conditions.
Should I use a lead generator or a principal buyer?: A principal buyer purchases the property directly with its own funds, which usually means fewer parties involved and a more direct relationship. A lead generator sells your enquiry to third parties, so you may end up dealing with a company you did not originally contact. Ask directly which one you are speaking to.