Question 1

How can I get a free property valuation for a UK house?

Accepted Answer

Enter the postcode on HomeScoper, pick the property and you'll get an instant free property valuation based on comparable sales sourced from HM Land Registry and the EPC register. There's no sign-up required. Get a free property valuation

Question 2

How do I check a property's EPC rating?

Accepted Answer

Search the postcode and select the address on HomeScoper and we'll pull the latest certificate from the official EPC Register (England & Wales). Check an EPC

Question 3

How can I check sold prices for a property?

Accepted Answer

Run a free HomeScoper report and you'll see the full HM Land Registry sales history for the property and recent comparables nearby, including the date of sale, price paid and a link to the previous listing. Check sold prices

Question 4

How do I find out how old my house is?

Accepted Answer

Use the property age check tool. We combine HM Land Registry first-sale data and EPC construction-age bands to estimate the most likely build period — useful for valuations, insurance and renovation budgeting. Check property age

Question 5

How much stamp duty will I pay on a UK property?

Accepted Answer

Use the HomeScoper stamp duty calculator. It covers SDLT in England & Northern Ireland, LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales, and adjusts automatically for first-time buyer relief, additional-property surcharges and non-UK resident surcharges. Calculate stamp duty

Question 6

How long does it take for a sold price to appear on HM Land Registry?

Accepted Answer

Most residential sales appear within two to eight weeks of completion, but a few transactions take longer. Excluded transactions never appear at all, including:

Sales not registered with HM Land Registry; Sales not for value (e.g. transfers between family members); Right to Buy sales below market value; Gifts and transfers under court orders; Compulsory purchase orders

Question 7

What's a good EPC rating when buying a UK home?

Accepted Answer

EPC ratings run from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). C or above is considered good and is the minimum target for most government efficiency schemes. Below D, expect higher running costs and likely upgrade work - factor this into your offer.

Question 8

What red flags should I look for at a property viewing?

Accepted Answer

The most common issues tend to be related to damp and condensation, structural movement, poor loft and wall insulation, and short remaining lease (under 80 years).

Every free report includes a property-specific viewing checklist tailored to the construction age, EPC findings and property type — so you know exactly what to look for before you make an offer.

Question 9

Should I offer below the asking price, and by how much?

Accepted Answer

There's no fixed rule — it depends on local sold-price trends, how long the property has been on the market and any issues flagged in the report. HomeScoper shows you sold comparables on the same street so you can benchmark a realistic offer with evidence rather than guesswork.

Question 10

Does HomeScoper replace a surveyor or solicitor?

Accepted Answer

No. HomeScoper helps you decide which properties are worth pursuing and what to investigate further. Once you're under offer you'll still need a conveyancer and, in most cases, a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey before exchange.

Question 11

Where does HomeScoper get its data from?

Accepted Answer

HomeScoper combines HM Land Registry price-paid data, the official EPC Register, Ordnance Survey address data and a number of open public datasets. Data is © Crown copyright and database right, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Read full data sources & methodology

Question 12

What regions of the UK does HomeScoper cover?

Accepted Answer

HomeScoper currently covers England and Wales for full property reports. The stamp duty calculator additionally supports Scotland (LBTT) and Northern Ireland (SDLT).

Free UK Property Reports