UK property knowledge
Property articles and practical home-moving guides
Read guides about researching, buying and selling UK property.
Published articles
- What Does Council Tax Band C Mean? — Understand how Band C is set in England and Wales, why the charge varies by council and what can change the amount on your bill.
- What Does an EPC Rating Mean When Buying a House? — Understand EPC bands, scores, estimated costs and recommended improvements—and know what an energy certificate cannot tell you.
- Property Searches vs Surveys vs Property Reports: What's the Difference? — Understand what conveyancing searches, home surveys, lender valuations and online property reports each do—and why buyers may need several.
- 12 Things to Check Before Buying a House in the UK — A practical checklist for researching a property, its running costs and the surrounding area before you commit to buying a home.
- How to Check Planning Applications Near a Property — Learn how to search nearby planning applications, read the documents that matter and distinguish proposals from approved development.
- How to Check Schools Near a Property Before Moving — A practical guide to finding nearby schools, checking admissions and inspection information, and avoiding assumptions about catchment areas.
- How to Check Crime Rates Before Buying a House — Learn how to read local crime figures before moving, compare areas fairly and understand why street-level crime locations are approximate.
- How to Check Broadband Availability Before Moving — Check broadband at an exact address, understand predicted speeds and confirm the service you can actually order before moving home.
- How to Check Mobile Signal Coverage at a New Address — Compare voice, 4G and 5G predictions by network, then test indoor coverage before relying on a mobile signal at your new home.
- How to Research an Area Before Moving Home — A practical method for comparing neighbourhoods, checking everyday journeys and spotting issues that a short property viewing can miss.
- What Can You Learn from a Property's Sold Price History? — Learn how to use recorded sale prices and recent street transactions without mistaking historic data for a current property valuation.
- How to Check Flood Risk Before Buying a House — A practical guide to checking river, sea, surface-water and other flood risks before buying, with questions for insurers and conveyancers.