What is the first thing I should check about a cash house buyer?

Search the company name at Companies House to see when it was incorporated, who the directors are, and whether accounts have been filed. This takes a couple of minutes and tells you whether you're dealing with an established, active company.

Should a cash house buyer belong to a redress scheme?

Yes. Look for membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB). Membership gives you somewhere independent to complain if something goes wrong, and NAPB members agree to a code of practice for this sector.

Is it normal to be asked for money before completion?

No. A genuine cash buyer does not charge an upfront fee, an admin charge, or a survey fee before making you a formal offer. Treat any request for money before completion as a serious warning sign.

What questions should I ask on the first call?

Ask whether they are buying with their own funds or passing your details to a third party, whether they are NAPB or TPO members, how the offer figure is calculated, whether the price can change after survey and under what conditions, and who pays the legal fees.

How to check a cash house buyer

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

Search the company at Companies House, ask for proof of funds, confirm NAPB and TPO membership, read the contract for exclusivity or option clauses, and never pay a fee upfront. A genuine buyer will answer all of this without hesitation on the first call.

Hand-written checklist on a notepad beside glasses and a phone

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Step 1: Search Companies House

Go to companieshouse.gov.uk and search the exact trading name and, if given, the registered company number. Check the incorporation date, whether accounts and confirmation statements have been filed on time, and who the listed directors are. A company that is very new, overdue on filings, or has no obvious trading history deserves closer questions.

Step 2: Ask for proof of funds

A genuine cash buyer should be able to show evidence of the funds behind a purchase, whether that's the company's own capital or a committed funding line. If a company cannot or will not evidence this when asked directly, treat that as a warning sign.

Step 3: Check redress scheme and NAPB membership

Where to verify membership

Where to verify membership
Body	What it tells you	Where to check
The Property Ombudsman (TPO)	An independent complaints route if things go wrong	tpos.co.uk
National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB)	Agreement to a sector code of practice	napb.co.uk
Companies House	Trading history, directors, filing record	companieshouse.gov.uk

Step 4: Read the contract carefully

Before signing anything, look specifically for exclusivity clauses or option agreements that tie you to one buyer for a period of time, and check whether the document lets the buyer change the price after a survey without a clear, disclosed reason. A fair contract sets out clearly when and why a figure can move.

Step 5: Watch for price chipping

Price chipping is when a buyer agrees a number, gets you close to completion, then lowers the offer, often citing a vague survey issue. Ask upfront whether the price is locked once the survey is done, and get that answer in writing.

Step 6: Never pay an upfront fee

A genuine cash buyer does not charge a fee to give you an offer, arrange a survey, or start legal work. If a company asks for money before contracts are exchanged, stop and question why.

Questions to ask on the first call

Are you buying this property yourselves, or will my details be passed to someone else?
Are you a member of the NAPB and TPO?
How is the offer figure calculated, and can I see the comparable sales you've used?
Can the price change after survey, and under what conditions?
Who pays the legal fees?
Can you provide your company registration number?

Our own details, so you can check us

We are The Quick House Buyers, a trading style of Upstix Technologies Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 13180792. You can verify this at Companies House. We do not charge upfront fees, we pay your legal fees, and any offer is confirmed in writing after an independent survey. Call us on 020 3744 0249 with any question before you commit to anything.

Common questions

What is the first thing I should check about a cash house buyer?: Search the company name at Companies House to see when it was incorporated, who the directors are, and whether accounts have been filed. This takes a couple of minutes and tells you whether you're dealing with an established, active company.
Should a cash house buyer belong to a redress scheme?: Yes. Look for membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB). Membership gives you somewhere independent to complain if something goes wrong, and NAPB members agree to a code of practice for this sector.
Is it normal to be asked for money before completion?: No. A genuine cash buyer does not charge an upfront fee, an admin charge, or a survey fee before making you a formal offer. Treat any request for money before completion as a serious warning sign.
What questions should I ask on the first call?: Ask whether they are buying with their own funds or passing your details to a third party, whether they are NAPB or TPO members, how the offer figure is calculated, whether the price can change after survey and under what conditions, and who pays the legal fees.