House Buyer Bureau Comprehensive Review (Pros & Cons in 2025)
Updated: March 2025
60 Second Verdict:
House Buyer Bureau, one of the UK’s oldest quick house sale companies, has spent over £500 million since 2010—offering a fast and regulated service. But is getting 80%–85% of your home’s value worth the speed and convenience?
Member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and a founding member of National Association of Property Buyers
Demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility through its Charity Programme
Has positive reviews on third-party websites
Legal fees are only covered if you use their recommended solicitors
Offers around 80% to 85% of the property's market value
House Buyer Bureau Factsheet
| Fact Check | House Buyer Bureau |
|---|---|
| Number of employees? | 12 employees |
| What is their aim to buy time-frame? | Within 7-14 days |
| How many sales have they agreed? | 3,000+ |
| Number of TrustPilot reviews? | 353 TrustPilot reviews |
| Number of Google reviews? | 135 Google reviews |
| When were they incorporated? | 23 November 2011 |
| What are their Opening times? | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm |
| Which locations do they buy in? | UK |
| Is a house inspection needed? | No |
| Do they cover legal fees? | No legal fees (if you use their solicitors) |
| Do they have cash on hand? | Yes |
| What is House Buyer Bureau's website? | House Buyer Bureau Website |
*Data updated and correct as of March 2025
House Buyer Bureau: Key Details
House Buyer Bureau is a UK-based property buying company that specialises in fast property purchases, offering a quick and reliable alternative to the traditional estate agent route.
Established in 2011, they’ve built a solid reputation for transparency and efficiency in the house-buying industry. With over a decade of experience under their belt, they bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and have helped many homeowners sell without the usual stress.
The company operates nationwide, buying properties across the UK regardless of location or condition. They purchase a wide range of property types, from houses and flats to bungalows and even homes with structural issues or those tied up in probate.
What’s more, sellers don’t pay a penny in estate agent or solicitor fees—House Buyer Bureau covers all the costs, making the process as straightforward and cost-effective as possible.
From our point of view, their reputation and service appear to live up to these claims.
House Buyer Bureau Reviews
House Buyer Bureau is reviewed on several websites – we have highlighted some below.
| Trustpilot Reviews | Google Reviews |
|---|---|
| 353 reviews | 135 reviews |
| 4.5 score | 4.6 score |
*Reviews are updated and correct as of 27/03/2025
From what we've seen, House Buyer Bureau has a legitimate reputation backed by excellent reviews across multiple third-party sites, including Trustpilot.
Many customers say they’re professional, honest, and highly knowledgeable.
For example, a review from Colette Somers said the following:
Dorothy was amazing, she was not at all pushy, very knowledgeable about the market and very fair. I would rate House Buyer Bureau above all of their competitors.
- Colette
Another client also commented:
I recently had the pleasure of working with Homebuyers Bureau to sell my house, and I cannot recommend them highly enough!My experience was overwhelmingly positive, marked by exceptional service and professionalism. From the very first contact, the team was responsive and attentive. I was impressed by their straightforward approach—there were no hidden fees, no last-minute surprises. After providing some photos and my estimated property value between £205,000 and £210,000
I received a fair offer of 80 percent of the market value that I was happy to accept. The entire process from start to finish took just 2 to 3 weeks, which is incredibly quick. I appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to deal with estate agent or solicitor fees, which can often complicate and delay the selling process.
While there was a minor hiccup with the solicitors that delayed the exchange of keys by a day, the Homebuyers Bureau team handled it with grace and professionalism. Mike Forsdike the managing director, personally reached out to apologize for the inconvenience and even sent me a £100 Amazon voucher as a gesture of goodwill. This level of customer care truly stood out to me.
Throughout the entire process, Mike, Susanna, and Kerri kept me informed and supported. Their communication was excellent, and they made sure I was updated every step of the way. It was clear that they genuinely care about their clients and strive for complete satisfaction.
Homebuyers Bureau is a shining example of what a home-selling company should be. Their commitment to speed, efficiency, and integrity is commendable. If you're looking to sell your house quickly and without hassle, I wholeheartedly recommend Homebuyers Bureau. They truly deliver on their promises and make the process as smooth as possible. Thank you, Homebuyers Bureau, for making this experience a positive one!
- Ronnie
However, it's important to note that not all customers were happy with the service they received.
Some have voiced frustration over low offers and misleading claims.
Here are some reviews from Trustpilot:
"I was thinking of selling my flat and having seen an ad for the House Buyer Bureau, I made contact with them.
Although they state 'we buy any home'...they don't!
I have a modern retirement apartment and they are not at all interested in buying it.
Their ad is misleading, why is this not mentioned.
I shall now engage an established estate agent."
- Michael
"Contacted me under the pretence that their offer would be realistic but it was ridiculously low."
"Ridiculous offer I had already dropped the price by £50k and they wanted to offer only 80 percent so no I won't recommend them."
Although there were some unhappy customers, several people praised House Buyer Bureau for the price offer they received.
For example, a Google review from Richard Willshire said the following:
"We recently sold our house through HBB and it was a painless and rewarding experience. We wanted a quick sale and this was achieved within seven weeks. We expected to receive approximately 80% of the market value (we were prepared to accept this for the sake of speed) and did a little better even, as well as not having to pay estate agents, solicitors for the sale as well as the hassle of viewings. We were warned this was an unscrupulous market but HBB kept us in the picture and kept to their word. Everybody we dealt with was helpful and empathetic, particularly Dorothy and Kerrie and we cannot recommend them too highly."
Another customer also commented that the valuation was fair:
"Great company to do business with. I was a bit nervous about using a house buying company, but this was a good experience. They value your house for what they think they can sell it for and give you 80% of that value. We thought the valuation was fair, and once we agreed the price, it all went through very smoothly & very quickly (with no legal or estate agent fees). Suzanne, Kerrie and Dorothy were all a pleasure to deal with."
Is House Buyer Bureau Legitimate?
House Buyer Bureau has the following attributes:
- Cited by several third-party websites
- Has several positive reviews
- Founding member of National Association of Property Buyers
- Member of The Property Ombudsman
We believe that House Buyer Bureau is a legitimate house-buying company.
Has House Buyer Bureau Won Any Awards?
House Buyer Bureau has not won any awards. However, they have been featured on the following websites:
- Daily Express
- The Sun
- Daily Mail
- Estate Agent Today
- yahoo! News
- Property Industry Eye
- The Guardian
- The Times
What Services Does House Buyer Bureau Offer?
House Buyer Bureau offers a range of services designed to facilitate quick and hassle-free property sales for homeowners across the UK. Their key services include:
-
Cash Purchases: As a genuine cash buyer, House Buyer Bureau purchases properties directly, eliminating the need for mortgage approvals or third-party financing. This enables them to make offers within 24 hours and complete purchases in as little as seven days.
-
Purchase of Various Property Types: They buy all types of residential properties, regardless of condition or location, including houses, flats, bungalows, and properties with structural issues or those in probate.
-
Transparent Pricing: Typically, they offer around 80% of a property's market value. While this is below full market value, it reflects the convenience and speed of their service.
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No Fees: Sellers benefit from zero estate agent or solicitor fees, as House Buyer Bureau covers all associated costs.
-
Flexible Completion Dates: They accommodate sellers' timelines by offering flexible completion dates, allowing homeowners to choose a schedule that suits their needs.
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Assistance with Legal Processes: House Buyer Bureau provides support throughout the legal process, including covering legal fees when using their recommended solicitors, ensuring a smooth transaction for sellers.
These services are tailored to provide homeowners with a swift, certain, and straightforward alternative to traditional property sales methods.
How Much Below Market Value Does House Buyer Bureau Offer?
House Buyer Bureau typically offers around 80% to 85% of a property's market value.
While sellers receive less than full market value, they avoid estate agent fees, legal costs, and the stress of a drawn-out sale.
Here's some advice from our property expert Paul:
"Quick-sale companies like House Buyer Bureau typically offer between 75-85% of market value for properties.
This reduced price accounts for the convenience of a rapid sale and possible renovation expenses. Sellers should evaluate whether sacrificing some equity for speed aligns with their financial objectives and time constraints."
How Does House Buyer Bureau Work?
The process is designed to be simple, fast, and hassle-free—ideal for homeowners who want to avoid the delays and uncertainty of the open market.
- You start by filling in a short form on their website or calling 0800 028 2800 to provide a few basic details about your property.
- Based on that, House Buyer Bureau will make you a no-obligation cash offer—often within just 24 hours. There’s no pressure or hard sell involved.
- If you accept the offer, the sale can be completed in as little as seven days, and the funds are transferred directly to your account.
What are the Pros & Cons of Using House Buyer Bureau?
Using House Buyer Bureau comes with several benefits, especially if you're looking for a quick and stress-free sale, but it’s important to weigh these against a few potential drawbacks.
Pros of using House Buyer Bureau:
- Speed: The ability to complete sales rapidly is beneficial for those needing quick transactions.
- Convenience: A simplified process with no need for property viewings or listings.
- Cost Savings: No fees for estate agents or solicitors, as all costs are covered by the company.
- Regulated & Accredited: House Buyer Bureau is a member of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This offers sellers peace of mind and access to independent dispute resolution if needed.
- Charitable Initiatives: House Buyer Bureau demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility through its Charity Programme, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that provides essential assistance to individuals affected by cancer.
- Price Promise Guarantee: Their formal offer won’t change unless an unexpected issue arises during the survey or legal checks—and if it does, they’ll give you £1,000 regardless of whether you continue with the sale.
Cons of using House Buyer Bureau:
-
Below Market Offers: Offers may be below full market value, which is a trade-off for the convenience and speed provided.
-
Mixed Reviews: Customer feedback varies, with some reporting positive experiences and others noting concerns about communication and transparency.
House Buyer Bureau vs Other Quick Sale Companies
Below, we’ve highlighted some of the key differences, such as average sale time, hidden fees and more, compared to other UK house buyers, such as HouseBuyFast, Quickmovenow, We Buy Any House, British Home Buyers, or SpringMove.
Quick Sale Firms
- Takes 2-4 weeks to find a buyer
- Some firms charge hidden fees
- Won't always buy any type of home
- Can take months if not true cash buyers
- Some firms do not offer complete confidentiality
- Not all quick sale firms offer a cash advance service
House Buyer Bureau
- Receive a cash offer in 24 hours
- Cover all fees (no legal fess when you use their trusted solicitors)
- Buys any home
- Can complete in 7-14 days
- Full confidentiality & privacy
- N/A
In our expert opinion, House Buyer Bureau sets itself apart with its strong regulatory framework and reputation.
However, when comparing companies, homeowners should assess additional factors like legal fee coverage, flexibility in negotiations, and transparency in valuations, which can vary significantly between providers.
More advice from our Property Expert Paul:
"When dealing with House Buyer Bureau or similar quick-sale companies, I suggest checking their regulatory compliance and financial capabilities before proceeding.
It's advisable to ask for their current proof of funds documentation and verify their active NAPB membership status.This verification process helps ensure you're engaging with a genuine buyer capable of completing the transaction within the timeframe they've committed to."
House Buyer Bureau - Our Verdict
House Buyer Bureau is a strong option for homeowners who need a quick, straightforward sale. With over a decade of experience, nationwide reach, and membership in trusted bodies like The Property Ombudsman and NAPB, they offer a level of reassurance that not all quick-sale companies provide. Their service is ideal for those in time-sensitive situations, covering all fees and completing sales in as little as seven days.
However, sellers should be prepared to receive around 80% to 85% of the property’s market value. While the speed and convenience may outweigh this for many, it’s worth considering alternative routes if maximising your sale price is the priority. Overall, House Buyer Bureau delivers on its promises, provided the trade-off fits your needs.
*This article is a comparative analysis review based on publicly available data, customer reviews, and personal research. We are not affiliated with House Buyer Bureau or any other house buying company mentioned. The information provided is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial or professional advice. We encourage readers to do their own research before making any decisions.
The House Buyer Bureau Factsheet - (Free Download)
You can now access all the key information about House Buyer Bureau in the Factsheet infographic we have created below.
Simply click on the image or the link that appears after the factsheet, and it will automatically download it to your device!
| 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 |
| 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 |
| We Buy Any House | 4.4 | No reviews | No reviews |
| 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 |
| Express Offers | 4.1 | No reviews | No reviews |
| Upstix | 4.0 | 4.2 | No reviews |
Browse our comprehensive reviews and expert insights to find the best company for your situation.
*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.
