Are Cash House Buying Companies Legitimate?
Here's how to find out!
- We are the leading UK house selling solutions company
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Content Written By: Jonathan Christie - Last Updated: 01/07/2025
There are many legitimate cash house buying companies out there, but also a number of illegitimate ones that should be avoided. It can be hard differentiating between the two, mostly because cash buyers are a relatively new kid on the property block and don’t have the same level of regulations as traditional avenues like real estate agents. However, there are numerous reasons why cash home buyers are legitimate, as well as certain key elements that can help you prove a company’s genuineness.
But first, you may be wondering how a cash house buying company can discuss the legitimacy of cash home buyers. The thing is, as a professional cash buyer with over 20 years’ experience, a large team of dedicated buyers, over 2,100 5-star Trustpilot reviews and ongoing memberships with official property governing bodies, we feel pretty confident we can outline what makes a cash buyer legitimate and what doesn’t.
Of course, we also recommend using this page as one of your many sources when researching cash buyers. There’s a lot of guidance out there and as much as we’ve tried to give you all the information you need, it’s always a good idea to consult multiple sources before making a big decision like selling your house. We pride ourselves on providing unbiased advice to all homeowners and working with those sellers who can genuinely benefit from using our services. In order to do this, we try to be as transparent and honest as possible.
Cash house buying companies aren’t the right option for everyone. But they might also be exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re in the latter camp, it’s important you know why you can trust them and the things to look out for when searching for a genuine cash buyer.
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Top tips for finding a legitimate cash house buying company
| Check for NAPB and Companies House registration | Check for TPO membership | Request proof of funds | Look for positive Trustpilot reviews | Check for media features |
| Look for real customer testimonials | Never feel pressured to sell or give personal information | Receive consistent and honest communication | Check property valuation is fair, not misleading | Ask about hidden fees (answer should be ‘no’) |
What is a cash house buyer?
A cash house buying company is a professional business that can buy your property with its own financial capital. This means that they don’t require a mortgage or any other loan to be able to purchase your house outright. This also means that they’re not hamstrung by having to sell another property to fund the sale (aka the property chain).
If you’re dealing with a ‘cash buyer’ who needs to sell their property before buying yours, they’re not a legitimate cash buyer. Why is this? Because cash buyers make their purchases with cash readily available to them, not tied up in other investments.
Christoper Hamer, a former Property Ombudsman, outlined this in an article for The Negotiator. “I would only expect a cash buyer to be described as such if he has realisable cash assets ... and no mortgage is required to make up any difference in the purchase price,” Hamer wrote.
This is one of their biggest strengths, as it means the sale can be completed in as little as seven days. More likely it will take 2-3 weeks. It’s why you may also recognise these businesses as ‘we buy any house’ or ‘sell house fast’ companies.
Typically, cash house buying companies offer a sale route that’s faster, more guaranteed and fee-free compared to estate agents, auctions or online agents. However, the compromise for these benefits is a lower sale price (around 75-85% below market value).
Read our guide on how a cash buying company works for more information. You can also learn more about cash house buyers and how long it takes to make a cash house sale
Are cash buyers regulated?
Cash home buying companies don’t have any type of formal or requisite governmental regulation. There’s nothing stopping one from setting up their business, such as licencing or registration, without first going through regulatory checks. This is why there are illegitimate companies or entities operating. There are also individuals posing as legitimate cash house buyers and sellers who have misled and stolen money from people in the past.
The Sun published an article in March 2025 about a man who swindled 75 buyers out of their money by selling properties and land that he didn’t own. Some of the hopeful buyers ended up losing a lot of money on the fake sales.
“Victims in this case have lost significant sums of money, in some cases in excess of a million pounds,” Detective Inspector Damian Barlow, from ERSOU's (Eastern Region Special Operations Unit) Organised Crime Unit, said in the article. “The scale of Maudhoo’s offending is truly shocking, and what stood out as we pieced together this investigation is that he paid absolutely no regard to those he was defrauding.”
It’s the reverse situation of a fraudulent cash buyer, but it goes to show how people can fabricate property sales, whether buying or selling. It also demonstrates why it’s important to thoroughly vet any seller or buyer before committing. Because at the end of the day these people don’t care about you or your livelihood. All they care about is taking your money with whatever schemes or lies they can dream up.
Now you may be thinking if there’s not government regulation and illegitimate companies and people are out there, how can you trust any cash house buyer? While there may not be a formal regulatory body, there are numerous ways you can verify cash buyers.
How to check a cash buyer is legitimate
If you’re dealing with a private or individual cash buyer, verifying their legitimacy is a little trickier. They won’t often be part of any registrar or government-approved body. Because of this, the transaction may be riskier than if you were dealing with a company.
If you’re dealing with a cash home buying company, there are multiple things to look for to help build trust in the business and their practices. If the company ticks the following six boxes, you should feel confident in their legitimacy and ability to provide you with good, honest service.
🏡 Legitimate Cash House Buyer Checklist
They’re a member with The Property Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is a non-profit company that has government approval to provide independent resolution services for disputes between property agents and their customers. They have been in operation since 1990 and while they’re not a regulator or able to take legal action against agents, they can provide redress to customers.
They also have a membership option for property agents, including cash house buying companies. If a company is a member with TPO, they are required to uphold the fair practices and the TPO’s strict code of conduct when operating.
You can review the full outline of General Membership Obligations to get a better idea of these requirements. TPO also has very clear documentation on the Code of Practice for Residential Property Buying Companies, which includes things like duty of care, in-house complaints handling and fees. Some examples of these requirements include:
4d You must never deliberately misrepresent the value of a property.
5c You must not reduce offer prices late in the process without a valid reason and you must avoid putting undue pressure on the house seller which restricts their ability to make free or informed choices.
5g You must ensure that purchase funds are in place and forwarded to solicitors in time for agreed completion.
As you can see, there are numerous rules in place to ensure these members operate fairly, honestly and with your best interests. If a cash buyer is a member of TPO, such as The Property Buying Company, you can rest assured they must uphold these practices or submit themselves to a TPO review and potential compensation.
They’re registered with the National Association of Property Buyers
The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) works closely with TPO to ensure TPO members uphold the highest standards of practice in the property buying industry. The NAPB is all about fairness and transparency and expects its members to uphold those values when servicing customers. Registration with the NAPB is entirely voluntary, but you can only register if you’re a member of TPO.
The NAPB is actually mentioned in the HM Government’s How To Sell guide for people living in England and Wales. On page 10, the guide states:
“One option to sell your home may be to consider a company offering an instant cash purchase, but make sure you understand the trade-off involved; these firms may offer a quick sale, but they may pay well below the market price for your home. You should use a firm that is a member of the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), as they are signed up to The Property Ombudsman’s Code of Practice.”
Companies registered with the NAPB, such as The Property Buying Company, must uphold these strict codes of practice, as outlined by TPO. So if your chosen cash buyer is a member, it’s a good indication you’re working with a legitimate buyer. You can read more about the NAPB and why we’re a proud member.
The NAPB has published a great guide for checking whether a cash house buyer is legitimate. They also have an article offering advice on how to not fall for fake cash buyers, which is a little dated but still worth reading.
They’re registered with Companies House
Companies House is the official registrar of UK companies and maintains an up-to-date public record of companies under the government’s Department for Business and Trade arm. Anyone is able to access the information on this database for free, including:
- - Registered address
- - Date of incorporation
- - Current and former officers
- - Previous company names
- - Insolvency information
Companies House has even more power these days than it did in the past. As this article by The Times outlines, Companies House can refuse fraudulent documents submitted by businesses, fine companies for not complying with regulations, and basically hold corporations accountable to reduce economic crime.
“Companies House now appears to be morphing into an active apparatus of accountability, scrutiny and enforcement,” wrote Hamish Perry. This includes a strict verification scheme for all directors or anyone holding power within the company.
It’s free for UK companies to register and each one has to tick a lot of compliance obligation, so it’s an easy way to validate a company’s integrity. If the company you’re dealing with isn’t registered with Companies House, there’s a good chance they’re not a legitimate company. As an example, you can review The Property Buying Company’s listing on Companies House.
They can provide proof of funds
As we mentioned earlier, a legitimate cash house buyer should have money readily available to purchase your property. As the seller, you are within your right to request proof that they have these funds.
They should show you this proof (e.g. a recent bank statement, letter from their financial institution or some other form of evidence) and validate their capital to make a quick and honest outright purchase. If your cash buyer is unwilling to provide proof of funds, you should be very wary of continuing to do business with them.
They are well-reviewed on Trustpilot
You’ve no doubt already heard of the independent review site, Trustpilot, and have probably used it in the past for other businesses. It’s also a great source for researching legitimate cash house buying companies. These companies will not only have a Trustpilot reviews page, but will have hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews validating their services and conduct.
But can you trust the reviews on Trustpilot? As reported by the BBC, Trustpilot did a site-wide audit of its reviews back in 2020 and removed over two million fake ones. The company continues to remove as many fake reviews as possible these days. However, it’s not always so easy to spot them, which is why Trustpilot is just one of the many boxes to tick.
Still, the more 5- and 4-star reviews a company has on Trustpilot, the more you can ensure its legitimacy. For instance, TPBC has over 2,390 5- and 4-star reviews on Trustpilot. But it’s not just enough to see the number. You should also read a good chunk of the reviews to get a better idea of people’s experiences.
Here’s an example of a recent 5-star review of TPBC:
“I contacted Chris Atkins to organise the quick sale of a property. The offer was fair and was quickly and efficiently produced. Chris dealt with my many queries and I must say I was extremely happy with the professionalism displayed throughout.” – review by Christopher Finch on the 2nd of June, 2025
Here’s another Trustpilot review, this one from Roger Peterson:
“I approached The Property Buying Company a little while ago to sell my house. The process was extremely smooth and fast and I would like to thank the team for everything. A special thanks to Ellie who held my hand throughout, making the sale stress free. Will be recommending to family and friends.”
They’ve been featured in the media
Check if the company has been covered by any stories in reputable media outlets. Alternatively, check if they’ve published any stories through these media outlets as guest contributors. Publication sites like Yahoo, Business Insider and the Mirror are just some examples where you might find these stories.
Usually, a legitimate cash buying company will showcase any media features on its website, such as this page highlighting all the media contributions and features of The Property Buying Company.
They have a proper website with real customer testimonials
Last but not least, the final box your cash buyer should tick is having a proper website with testimonials from real people. How can you tell if a testimonial is real? Well, it’s easy to fake a testimonial with text and a photograph, so look for video testimonials like these customer stories published on TPBC’s website.
What to look for in a good cash home buying company
Legitimate cash home buying companies aren’t always good cash buyers. A lot of companies do all the right things and tick all the above boxes. But all this means is they’re not going to cheat you out of your money. However, it doesn’t guarantee they’re going to provide a good service.
You can read our recently updated review of the best quick house buying companies to get a better idea of who’s known for quality service. We’ve also outlined a few key elements to look out for here:
No fees of any kind
Don’t employ pressure tactics to force your hand
Offer honest and transparent answers to questions
Provide offers around 75-90% of the market value
Provide a solicitor or pay for your chosen solicitor
Conduct a thorough property valuation
A personable and easy to work with
Consistent communication
Pay on time
Finalise the sale within 1-3 weeks
What to do if you encounter a scam cash buyer
Edward Sharp, partner and head of the Residential Property department at Sills & Betteridge Solicitors, offers sound advice on identifying and avoiding property scams.
When it comes to fake buyers, Sharp states, “Sometimes a fraudster will pretend to be a potential buyer and make an offer for your property. The deal will fall through, but not before they have harvested details of the property and your personal data. They can then use this to try to fake a transfer of the property to themselves, which they would then register at the Land Registry, or to secure a loan against it.”
As you can see, a scam cash buyer is not always a simple grab-and-go job. If you think your cash buyer is trying to scam you, follow these steps:
Step 1: Stop Communication
Stop communicating with the cash buyer immediately. Don’t share any personal or financial information with them. If you already have done so, consult steps 4 and 5.
“Our home is also often our biggest financial asset, which unfortunately can also attract professional scammers,” writes Sharp. “Buying a home, or renting one, you will have many things to focus on. Keeping your money safe should be high on the list of priorities.”
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Collect anything you feel is relevant to the scam, so you don’t have to try to remember it when you’re reporting it. This might include the scammer’s name, email address, phone number and company name.
You’ll also want to keep a log of any emails, messages or contracts you’ve sent or received. If you’ve transferred money already, keep a record of the transactions or bank statements. Finally, you should write a bit about the scam, such as how it happened and what made you suspicious.
Step 3: Report the Scam
You can report the scam to the following institutions:
Action Fraud – A national reporting centre that works on behalf of the police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can report a scam online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Citizens Advice – They don’t investigate scams per se, but the will pass on your report to Trading Standards, who can legally prosecute fraudulent companies or individuals. Citizens Advice will also offer your support and guide you on your next steps.
The Property Ombudsman – If the company is a TPO member, you can submit a complaint through the TPO website. They’ll look into your report and, if deemed necessary, will provide their services for redressing the dispute.
National Association of Property Buyers – If the company is registered with the NAPB, you can also report the scam to them. Most likely they’ll refer the case to TPO, but it can’t hurt to submit the report through their contact form.
Step 4: Notify Your Bank
Have you already transferred money or given your bank details to the scammer? Contact your bank right away. There may still be time for them to stop the scammer from taking your money. They might also be able to help you recover any money you’ve lost.
Step 5: Contact a Lawyer
If you’ve lost money because of this scam, get in touch with a lawyer, preferably one specialising in property law. They should be able to advise you on your rights and initiate a case to prosecute the scammer and recover any money you’ve lost.
Step 6: Share Your Experience Online
Scammers hate getting a reputation. So build one online. Talk about your experience on any review sites where they have a listing, such as Trustpilot or Google Reviews. You can also inform others about them on community forums.
We appreciate being scammed can come with feelings of embarrassment, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. These people are very good at manipulation systems and other people to get what they want. Sharing your experience can really help stop them doing it in the future.
Are cash buyers reliable?
Cash buyers can often be some of the most reliable home buyers if you do the necessary checks to find a legitimate cash house buying company. It’s usually only when you start dealing with lead generators or brokers that you can experience unreliability, such as hidden fees or lengthy delays and poor communication. However, if you choose a good, legitimate cash buyer, you should expect a reliable and efficient sale process.
Is it legal to buy a house with cash in the UK?
Yes it is legal to buy a house with cash and all professional cash home buying companies should be operating legally with the necessary memberships and accreditations. Cash buyers actually represent a significant portion of house sales in the UK. Property Reporter published an article detailing that cash buyers accounted for 34.5% of all property transactions in 2023, according to Yopa data.
Within that article, Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, highlighted how high mortgage interest rates and borrowing costs had made cash buyers a popular choice for sellers. “Not only is it far tougher for those looking to purchase with the aid of a mortgage, but as a result, cash buyers are in a far stronger position within the market making them the first choice for many sellers,” Frankish said. When mortgage rates drop, cash buyers often see less interest from sellers, but they’re still a viable and legal means of selling your house.
Can cash buyers pull out of a sale?
It doesn’t happen often but it is possible for a cash buyer to pull out of a sale. This rarely happens after the exchange of contracts, because the cash buyer will have to forfeit their deposit and may face legal and financial consequences for breaching the contract.
Cash buyers will often provide a no-obligation quote before these contracts, which means no obligation to sell for you and no obligation to buy for them. If the cash buyer pulls out of the sale at this point, it’s usually because they’ve found something in the property inspection. If that happens and you’ve chosen a company that doesn’t charge any fees, you shouldn’t lose anything more than a bit of your time.
Should you sell your house to a cash buying company?
Unfortunately, we can’t give you a simple yes or no answer to this one. The decision to sell your house or flat to a cash buying company really depends on your individual situation and priorities.
Generally, cash buyers are a better option for people who want to sell quickly without any hassles, saving time and money on fees. However, if you’re looking for the best-possible value for your home, a cash buyer probably won’t be right for you. Cash buyers will offer around 10-25% below your property’s market value, which compensates for the speed and convenience of the sale. You can learn more about how much cash buyers pay by reading our guide.
However, if you want to sell your home quickly, cash buyers are usually the fastest option. You can sell in 2-3 weeks on average and sometimes as quickly as seven days. We recommend weighing up your options and your priorities before deciding whether a cash buyer is the right choice.
You could also get a no-obligation cash offer from The Property Buying Company in 24 hours. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect to make from a cash sale. Once you know the figure, you can choose whether to proceed with the sale or look elsewhere.
As we said, it isn’t for everyone. But it does work for a lot of people, especially those who need to sell quickly (e.g. after a divorce or the death of a loved one). And for those people a cash buyer can be very helpful.
This was the case for Mel, whose house was going to be repossessed if she couldn’t sell. After she reached out to us, we were able to buy her house in two weeks and stop the repossession from going ahead. Mel had her doubts, understandably, but found TPBC to be professional and helpful. Mel ended up getting £230,000 for her house, which she was very happy with. You can hear more about Mel’s experience selling to a legitimate cash house buying company in the video below.
Why The Property Buying Company is a legitimate cash house buyer
Now you know all the boxes a legitimate cash home buyer needs to tick, you should have a clearer idea of why TPBC is a genuine and trustworthy cash buyer. We tick all those boxes outlined above, including:
✅ Registered with the NAPB and Companies House
✅ Member of TPO
✅ Highly rated on Trustpilot
✅ Able to provide proof of funds
✅ Featured in reputable media sources
✅ Professional website with real customer stories
Not only is TPBC a legitimate company, we also offer great service to our clients. We cover all related fees, including solicitor and surveyor expenses, incurred as part of the sale. Our team of professional buyers and directors also has over 100 years’ of combined experience within the property industry and uphold high standards. We can usually finalise the sale of your house in 2-3 weeks, but it can be as little as seven days from that first offer to the sale closure.
Of course, there’s never any pressure from us on you to sell. We simply want to give you a better idea of what you can expect to make from your sale without your house spending months on the market, costing you time, money and energy.
Meet our CEO and property expert, Jonathan Christie
Jonathan is involved in everything property buying. He has 19 years’ experience working in the property industry and is one of the Founders and CEOs of The Property Buying Company, a business he started in 2012 with his best friend. Previously he worked as a senior manager for Gateway Property Group for 7 years before founding The Property Buying Company. He has also built & maintained his personal property portfolio since 2007.
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Edit Log
01/07/2025 - Content rewritten by Jonathan Christie
01/07/2025 - Content updated in line with Editorial Guidelines (Reviewed by Mathew McCorry)
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