Property Guides
Property Guides for UK Homebuyers
Plain-English UK property guides on valuations, stamp duty, surveys, planning, EPCs and neighbourhood research — from the team behind BeforeYouBuy property reports.
Does Every New Home Come With an EV Charger?
A house built in 2021 and one built in 2023 can have completely different EV charging setups by default, and it has nothing to do with the builder's choice. Here's what UK law actually requires, and what it means if you're buying.
25 September 2026
What Does a UK Postcode Actually Mean for Buyers?
A postcode like "M20" looks like a single, specific thing. In practice it can cover thousands of homes with very different prices, risks, and school options. Here's how UK postcodes actually work, and why that matters when you're buying.
22 September 2026
Manchester House Price Growth 2026: 7 Areas Ranked
Manchester's property market isn't moving as one. Real sold-price data across 7 postcodes shows family suburbs pulling ahead by double digits while the city centre has fallen sharply. Here's the full breakdown, area by area.
17 September 2026
How to Check if a House Has Flooded Before
Flood risk rarely shows up on a viewing, and it isn't something every seller volunteers. Here's how to check both a property's flood history and its long-term risk, using free official sources.
8 September 2026
How Much Stamp Duty Will First-Time Buyers Pay?
Stamp duty catches a lot of first-time buyers off guard, partly because the rules are more nuanced than most listings let on. Here's how it currently works, and where to get an exact figure for a specific property.
7 September 2026
First-Time Buyer Checklist: 20 Things to Check
Buying your first home means researching a dozen different things across a dozen different websites. Here's a practical checklist covering what's actually worth looking into before you make an offer.
4 September 2026
Do You Need a Coal Mining Report Before Buying?
If the home you're buying sits anywhere near a former coalfield, a coal mining report may well come up during conveyancing. Here's what it covers, why it exists, and how to find out if it applies before you've paid a penny in searches.
1 September 2026
How to Find a House's Sold Price History
The asking price tells you what a seller wants. The sold price tells you what a buyer actually paid. Here's how to find the real number for any UK address — and why it matters more than almost anything else in your negotiation.
26 August 2026
Environmental Risks to Check Before Buying a Property
Learn about seven environmental risks to check before buying a property, including flood, radon, noise, air quality, landfill, coal mining and invasive plants.
22 August 2026
Things to Check Before Buying a Property
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you're likely to make. Before making an offer, there are a number of things worth checking — from previous sale prices and property value to EPC ratings, flood risk, location and ongoing costs.
17 August 2026