Your situation
Selling an empty property
An empty house is never free. Councils in England can now charge a council tax premium once a home has been empty for a year, insurers charge more or refuse cover, and every winter is another chance for a burst pipe or a broken window nobody notices for a month.
If the property is empty because a tenant left, a relative moved into care, a renovation stalled or you simply moved on, we can take it off your hands on a fixed date with the price agreed in writing.
How we handle it
What happens, step by step.
- 01
Tell us how long it has been empty and why
That tells us what condition to expect and whether there is anything that needs sorting before completion, such as reconnecting utilities for the survey.
- 02
One visit
We can usually see an empty property within a day or two, with a key safe or a neighbour holding keys if you are not local.
- 03
A written offer the next working day
A firm price with a completion date. Because nobody needs to move out, empty properties are often the quickest we buy, in as little as 14 days when we use our own funds.
- 04
We take on the risk from exchange
Once contracts are exchanged the property is our responsibility to insure. You can stop worrying about it that day.
What you will need
- Photo ID and proof of address
- The title (we can get this from the Land Registry) and any leasehold paperwork
- Details of any council tax exemption or premium currently applied
- Meter readings and utility account details for the switch on completion
- Keys, or details of who holds them
Do not worry if you cannot find everything. Tell us what you have and we will work out the rest with your solicitor.
Good to know
The things worth knowing before you decide.
Council tax on empty homes
Most councils in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire apply a premium to homes that have been empty and unfurnished for twelve months or more, which can double the bill. Check your council's empty homes policy; a firm completion date lets you stop the meter.
Insurance
Standard home insurance usually stops covering a property that has been unoccupied for more than 30 or 60 days. If your policy has lapsed, tell us; it does not stop a sale but it does make speed matter.
Our promise
The same firm offer whatever the situation.
Below open market value, in writing the next working day, with a completion date you choose and the workings shown in the letter. No fees, a deposit paid to you on exchange, legal fees paid with our partner solicitor, and 7 days to change your mind.
See exactly how we priceAny condition. Any reason.
Questions
Questions about empty property sales
Not for us to make an offer. We may ask for the electricity to be on for a survey, and we can arrange that with you if it is a problem.
Related
Other situations we handle.
Find out what we would pay. Three minutes, and it commits you to nothing.
A written offer the next working day, from people you can name.