House Buying Companies That Won't Rip You Off in 2025

Trusting Companies that Buy Houses in the UK

Last updated: July 2025

Good news, our property experts have researched & ranked the top 24 companies that buy houses in the UK, so you don’t have to.

The latest data shows that over 32.8% of houses were bought for cash in 2024, many via house-buying companies. How much do they pay? Who are actually legitimate cash buyers with their own funds and good reviews & reputation?

Let's see who made the cut.

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What are House Buying Companies?

House-buying companies, also known as cash house buyers or property-buying firms, purchase homes directly from homeowners for a fast, often cash-based sale. They provide an alternative to selling through an estate agent, offering a quicker and simpler process, typically at a lower price by buying properties as-is, covering legal fees, and eliminating the stress of property chains.

The Best House Buying Company in the UK is

Choosing the right house-buying company is a big decision, and we’re here to help you make it with confidence. We have carefully reviewed over top 10 house buying companies, evaluating their reputation, experience, seller feedback and how they fund their purchases.

Housebuyers4u 5 star rating as a house buying company

Housebuyers4u, one of the oldest and most reputable house buying companies, known for operating ethically with transparent advice & offers.

Crucially, they are genuine cash buyers that utilise their own funds to buy property. They will buy any house in any condition and can complete a house sale in as little as 7 days, here are some real case studies of previous customers.

Their unbeatable "completion guarantee" sets them apart from competitors - they are the only firm to offer this perk.

They are registered with the Property Ombudsman & the National Association of Property Buyers and follow the TPOS code of practice.

Housebuyers4u has had its expertise published in multiple national newspapers such as EstateAgentToday, The Metro and The Daily Mail.

They have some of the highest review scores across multiple websites: Trustpilot, Feefo & Google. Read more via the Housebuyer4u reviews page.

HouseBuyFast is a home-buying company with its main office based in Worthing, founded in 2008.

Offers a cash offer of 75-85% of market value and claims a completion time as fast as 3 days.
As of January 2025, they have 352 reviews on Trustpilot with a score of 4.4.
Their co-founder, Jonathan Rolande, is well-known and respected in the property space.

Our Rating: 4/5

Read our entire HouseBuyFast review.

Open Property Group, founded in 2014 and based in Buckinghamshire, is known for fast, cash-based property purchases across the UK.

Offers a cash price of around 75–80% of market value with a typical completion time of 7–14 days.
As of June 2025, they have 140 reviews on Trustpilot with an average score of 4.6.
Regarded as ethical, they are members of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB).

Our Rating: 4/5

Read the full Open Property Group review.

Want the full picture? See how all 23 companies stack up in our detailed comparison table

How Much do they Pay for your Home in 2025?

Unfortunately, even with a traditional estate agent, you likely won't get full market value but for cash buyers.

In 2024 alone, 32.8% of home sales were to cash buyers, most citing ‘speed’ and ‘certainty’ as the top motivators for bypassing traditional estate agents.

How Have Offers from Cash House Buyers Changed? Our 5-Year Analysis

Year	Average Price Offered
2021	78-88%
2022	75-87%
2023	74-86%
2024	74-85%
2025	73-85%

We studied market trends over the past 5 years and observed that the average percentage of market value offered by house-buying companies has remained steady, ranging from 73% to 85%.

In 2025 specifically, a home buying company's below market value offer will be approximately 73% to 85%.

Note: These figures are for straight cash sales only. Based on this data, it's reasonable to anticipate that in 2025, the offers might continue to hover around this lower percentage range. This downward trend reflects changes in market conditions, which significantly impact the offers made by these companies.

Why Do Homeowners Choose Quick Sale Companies?

Speed and certainty: 28%
Interest rate concerns: 18%
Cost of living pressures: 14%
Mortgage payment worries: 13%
Need to release equity: 11%
Private sale/No advertising: 7%

(Based on our latest customer survey in 2025)

"What's interesting in early 2025 is how rising mortgage costs are reshaping priorities. For many homeowners, especially those with time-sensitive moves, a guaranteed 17-day completion is proving more valuable than waiting months for a potentially higher offer." Paul Gibbens (Property expert at Housebuyers4u)

What Factors Affect How Much a House Buying Company Offers You?

This chart further breaks down the crucial factors, explaining why the above factors carry the weight they do. Although quite a few will be out of your control, you can use these insights to make a difference in your property's valuation and sale price.

Factors that Influence Offers	How they can Affect the Offer Price
Property Location	Prime locations often fetch higher offers
Property Condition	Better condition properties can lead to higher offers
Speed of Sale Required	Urgent sales might reduce the offer price (7 days or less)
Market Demand	High demand can increase the offer price
Property Size & Type	Larger or unique properties might get better offers
Legal or Structural Issues	Big issues can significantly lower offer prices
Economic Climate	Economic downturns might lower offer prices
Local Property Market Trends	Local market strength can influence offers

Related Read: What is my house worth in 2025?

Is it Worth Selling Your House to a House Buying Company?

Selling to a house buying company can be a smart option if you need a quick, hassle-free sale without the uncertainty of chains, agents, or months of waiting. These firms typically offer between 73% and 85% of your home’s market value, depending on its condition, location, and how quickly you need to complete. While you won’t get the full market price, the trade-off is speed, certainty, and convenience, ideal for situations like probate, divorce, financial pressure, or relocating. The best companies cover legal fees, don’t charge commissions, and buy your home as-is using their own funds.

If a guaranteed sale within 7–28 days is more important than holding out for the highest price, a professional property buying company may be worth it.

A Quick Warning on Scams

Not every company plays fair. Some lure you in with a high offer, only to lower it last minute or hit you with hidden fees. If something feels off or too good to be true, pause and check their credentials carefully before agreeing to anything.

How Do You Know If You Can Trust a Property Buying Company?

Before accepting any offer, always double-check the company’s credentials to ensure they’re genuine cash buyers (not lead generators), can prove they have funds in place, don’t use option agreements, have a strong track record with verified reviews, and don't have any hidden fees. The best house buying companies are fully transparent in their valuation process, communicate clearly, and hold industry accreditations for extra peace of mind.

For a detailed breakdown of these checks, check our guide on how to check if a quick sale company is reputable

What Regulations and Trade Bodies Should I Look For?

These are the key trade and regulatory bodies that may oversee home buying companies in the UK, focusing on their roles in ensuring ethical business practices and consumer protection in the property market.

National Association of Property Buyers

NAPB is a UK-based organisation, it aims to ensure high ethical standards and consumer protection within the property buying industry.

Property Ombudsman

The Property Ombudsman is an independent UK body that resolves disputes between consumers and property agents. It provides free, impartial resolution services and ensures agents adhere to a code of practice.

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Types of Companies that Buy Houses for Cash

Not all “cash buyers” are the same. When selling quickly, it’s crucial to know who you’re dealing with:

Genuine Cash Buyers: Have their own funds and can buy your home outright within weeks no loans, no waiting.
Non-Genuine Cash Buyers: May promise quick sales but often lack funds, undervalue properties, or depend on third parties.
Advisory/Middlemen Companies: Act as intermediaries, aiming to buy your home cheap and sell it on for a profit, often leaving you with less.

Here’s how their offers typically compare on a £300,000 property:

Service Provider	Service Fee	Typical Offer Range	Offer Amount (£300k House)
Traditional Cash Buyer	None	70-80% of market value	£210,000 - £240,000
iBuyer	5-6%	90-95% of market value	£270,000 - £285,000
Cash Buyer Marketplace	£500-£1000	Up to 100% of market value	Up to £300,000
Home Trade-In Service	Varies	85-95% of market value	£255,000 - £285,000

How Companies that Buy your House Work

How the process works in 8 easy steps that guarantee completion.

Selling your home is a big decision, I understand that. You want it to go smoothly and feel worthwhile. Traditional selling can take months, involve lots of uncertainty, and fall through at the last minute. In contrast, reputable house buying companies offer a guaranteed sale, a fixed timeline, and a straightforward process that removes the usual stress and delays.

Additionally, going with a we buy houses service is straightforward. Here's how it goes:

1) Get In Touch: : Call the firm and tell them about your property and how soon you want to sell it.

2) Get An Initial Offer: Receive a no-obligation cash offer based on a quick in-house valuation.

3) Make A Decision: Review the offer and ask any questions before moving forward.

4) The Survey: The company arranges a structural survey to check for major issues such as damp issues.

5) Formal Offer: After the survey, you get a written offer and confirm if you want to proceed.

6) Easy Paperwork: Sign the paperwork; the company works with solicitors and covers legal fees.

7) Sale Completion: The sale completes on the agreed date, usually at the same time as the exchange.

8) Get Cash ASAP: The proceeds from the sale are usually transferred to your bank account within a week.

How Long Does Each Step Actually Take? (Housebuyers4u 2024-25 Data)

Most guides list the steps, but few show what actually happens in practice. Here’s our analysis and a report of our findings on what we’ve seen from hundreds of real Housebuyers4u customers this year:

Step	Average Time Taken (2025)	Customer Satisfaction (%)
Get In Touch	<1 day	95%
Get An Initial Offer	1 day	93%
Make A Decision	1-2 days	90%
The Survey	2-3 days	88%
Formal Offer	1 day	91%
Easy Paperwork	1-2 days	90%
Sale Completion	7-14 days	89%
Get Cash ASAP	Same day/next day	95%

Expert advice from our property expert Paul

"I recently worked with a homeowner who was facing a tight deadline due to relocating for work. They were concerned about finding a buyer quickly while still getting a fair offer. By tailoring our advice to their unique situation and streamlining the process, we completed the sale in just 10 days.

My advice to anyone in a similar position is to ask lots of questions—don’t hesitate to make sure you fully understand the timeline and offer details before committing."

Compare House Buying Companies

The Best Quick House Sale Companies in the UK

Based on our July 2025 analysis, this table showcases the best companies that buy houses for cash in the UK. We’ve thoroughly reviewed each firm using the latest Trustpilot, Google, and Feefo ratings, so you can easily compare top cash buyers side by side. For full details, follow the links to our in-depth company reviews.

House buying company	Trustpilot score	Google score	Feefo score
Housebuyers4u	4.8	4.7	4.7
HouseBuyFast	4.0	4.7	4.8
Quickmovenow	4.3	4.4	4.9
Goodmove	4.9	4.8	No reviews
Property Solvers	4.7	4.8	No reviews
National Homebuyers	4.5	4.1	No reviews
Open Property Group	4.7	4.3	4.9
British Home Buyers	4.9	4.9	No reviews
Ready Steady Sell	3.7	No reviews	No reviews
We Buy Now	4.4	4.1	No reviews
SpringMove	4.5	No reviews	No reviews
TheAdvisory	No reviews	5.0	No reviews
Ask Susan	No reviews	2.3	No reviews
Property Cash Buyers	1.3	No reviews	No reviews
We Buy any Home	4.0	3.9	No reviews
Home House Buyers	4.9	4.9	No reviews
Smooth Sale	4.9	4.9	No reviews
Upstix	4.0	4.2	No reviews
Express Offers	4.1	No reviews	No reviews
Sold	4.5	3.5	No reviews
House Buyer Bureau	4.5	4.6	No reviews
Zoom Property Buyer	4.6	3.0	No reviews
Bettermove	4.6	No reviews	No reviews
Sell House Fast	4.7	No reviews	No reviews

*Note: Review data is usually less than 12 months old, please click and read the individual reviews above for up to date details on each website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Who is the best company to sell your house with?

Housebuyers4u is consistently rated as one of the best companies to sell your house with, thanks to their genuine cash offers, fast completion (often in 7–14 days), and transparent process with no hidden fees. They’re fully accredited, have top-rated reviews, and offer a unique completion guarantee that sets them apart from other cash buyers.

2What kind of properties do they typically buy?

Generally they buy a wide range of properties, including residential homes, apartments, and sometimes commercial properties. They often specialise in purchasing properties 'as-is', which means they buy homes regardless of their condition. This includes properties that might need significant repairs, are outdated, or have other issues that could make them challenging to sell on the open market.

3What will happen to my house after it’s been purchased by the company?

After a firm purchases your property, they may take several different actions based on their business model. Some companies might renovate and resell the property on the open market for a profit. Others might convert the property into a rental unit as part of their investment portfolio. In some cases, they may also sell the property to other investors or property buyers. The specific plan for your house will depend on the company's strategy and the current market conditions.

4How much below market value do companies that buy houses offer?

Typically offer around 70-85% of the market value of a property. This percentage can vary based on factors like property location, condition, and current market trends.

5Why Choose a Specific Company?

It's important to ask what sets a company apart from its competitors. Their unique processes, speed, or benefits might align more closely with your specific needs. Doing thorough research, including asking about their business model, helps in understanding their distinct offerings and approach.

6How can I check the reputation and standing of a specific firm?

You can check their customer reviews on platforms like Google Business Profile, Trustpilot, Feefo and more. These can offer insights into past client experiences. It's also beneficial to search for any news articles or reports about the company for a more comprehensive view of their reputation in the industry.

7Is it legal to Sell your Home to one of these companies?

Yes 100%. Selling your house to a cash buyer is legal and recognised in the UK property market, there are some key differences to be aware of compared to traditional sales:

Process Simplification: The sale process is generally quicker and involves less paperwork since there's no need for mortgage approval.

No Mortgage Implications: Cash buyers don't require a mortgage, so the sale is not contingent on loan approvals, making the process smoother and reducing the risk of the sale falling through.

Use of Solicitors: The legal process remains largely the same, with solicitors handling the transaction. However, it can be more streamlined as fewer parties are involved.

8Are the companies that buy your house legit?

In short yes. Many reputable companies genuinely buy houses for cash; however, the important part for homeowners is to identify a company that is trustworthy, reliable, legitimate and buy with their own cash funds

9 Do House Buying Companies Pay Stamp Duty?

Yes, in most cases, house-buying companies pay the stamp duty on the property they purchase. Since they are the buyers, the responsibility for paying stamp duty typically falls on them, not the seller. However, it's always a good idea to confirm this during negotiations, as policies may vary between companies. Reputable house-buying companies will include this as part of their transparent purchasing process.

10Can I negotiate with a house buying company?

Yes, you can negotiate with a house buying company. While offers are based on your property’s condition and market value.

11Do I need a survey or legal fees if selling to a cash buyer?

Most reputable cash house buyers cover all standard survey and legal fees as part of their service, meaning you usually pay nothing extra for these when selling direct.

12What red flags should I look for in quick sale companies?

Watch out for companies that can’t prove they have their own funds, refuse to provide clear written offers, add hidden fees, pressure you to sign quickly, or lack accreditations with bodies like TPOS or NAPB these are signs the company may not be trustworthy.

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