FAQs

Yes. Unless exempt, HownIt requires your current EPC band before you can submit your listing. Check the existing certificate on GOV.UK, or arrange a new assessment.

No. HownIt requires your current EPC band before you submit an advert. The statutory marketing rules may allow earlier marketing after commissioning an EPC, but HownIt requires the rating.

Search your postcode on the free government EPC register. If the certificate is valid, you can use it without paying for a new one. EPCs normally last 10 years.

Find an accredited assessor through GOV.UK or search locally and compare quotes. Prices may start around £60 but vary. If needed, commission the EPC before marketing your property.

No. Normally your advert must show the current energy rating once available, rather than a photograph of the whole certificate. Make the full valid EPC available free to prospective buyers.

Have your asking price, property type, bedrooms, bathrooms, tenure, council tax band, current EPC rating, photos and an accurate description ready. Include relevant charges, access arrangements, utilities and restrictions.

Compare similar homes currently for sale and properties recently sold nearby. Consider condition, size, location and features. You set your own asking price; HownIt does not value homes.

Yes, but check your agency contract first. Sole selling rights, sole agency and other terms may mean you still owe agent fees, even if you find a buyer yourself. HownIt does not override your agreement.

Confirm the date, time and address, prepare your home, and answer questions honestly. For safety, tell someone about the viewing, consider having another adult present and put valuables away. You may ask buyers about their chain and funding.

You and the buyer each appoint a solicitor or conveyancer. Exchange contact details, complete your property paperwork and allow agreed surveys or valuations. Your legal representative handles exchange and completion.

Yes. You can ask the buyer to confirm they have appointed a solicitor before you instruct yours. Avoid unnecessary delays and ask your solicitor when charges begin and what happens if the sale falls through.

Yes. You keep in touch with your buyer and provide updates. Your solicitor or conveyancer coordinates the legal exchange with other solicitors in the chain, as with an estate-agent sale.

Your solicitor or conveyancer coordinates the legal exchange and completion with the other legal representatives. HownIt does not chase the chain or provide sales progression.

Allow for legal fees, an EPC if needed, moving costs, possible mortgage or leasehold charges and any relevant tax. HownIt doesn't charge estate agent commission, and listing on HownIt is currently free.

Before exchange, a buyer can usually withdraw and you may lose costs already incurred. Tell your solicitor and anyone involved in your onward purchase. After exchange, seek urgent legal advice because the contract is binding.

In England and Wales, the sale normally becomes legally binding when contracts are exchanged, not when you accept an offer. Your solicitor manages the process and confirms completion before keys are handed over.

Yes. Use clear, recent photographs that accurately show the property. Only upload images you own or have permission to use.

Confirm viewing details, consider having another adult present, put away valuables and documents, and tell someone when the viewing is taking place. You can request ID, but it does not guarantee safety.

Yes. You can accept, decline or negotiate an offer. In England and Wales, an accepted offer is normally not legally binding until exchange of contracts.

Yes. Ask whether their home is on the market or under offer and whether they are in a chain. You decide whether their position suits your plans.

It means the seller has accepted an offer, but contracts have not yet been exchanged. In England and Wales, the sale is usually not legally binding at that stage.

Yes. Describe the tenure accurately and provide details of ground rent, service charges, lease length and any restrictions. Your conveyancer will handle the legal paperwork.

You are not generally legally required to use one in England and Wales, but it is strongly recommended. A solicitor or licensed conveyancer can handle contracts, enquiries and the transfer of ownership.

Create a HownIt account, verify your email and contact the seller through the listing. State your offer and buying position. The seller can accept, decline or negotiate directly with you.

No, although a seller may ask for one. It can show your likely borrowing budget but is not a guaranteed mortgage offer. Cash buyers may instead be asked for proof of funds.

No, a buyer’s home survey is not generally compulsory in England and Wales, but it is recommended. It can identify concerns such as damp, roofing or structural issues before exchange.

Find a qualified local surveyor, compare quotes and ask which type of survey suits the home. The buyer usually arranges and pays for it. Aim to receive the report before exchanging contracts.

Your solicitor arranges searches into legal and local matters. A survey checks the property’s condition. A mortgage valuation assesses security for the lender and is not a substitute for a survey.

Look for signs of damp, cracks, roof or window problems, and consider layout, parking, noise and running costs. Ask questions, consider a second viewing and remember a viewing does not replace a survey.

Appoint a solicitor or conveyancer, progress your mortgage if needed, consider a survey and respond to legal enquiries. Your solicitor guides you through exchange of contracts and completion.

Budget for your deposit, legal fees, searches, registration, any property purchase tax, survey, mortgage charges, insurance, removals and unexpected repairs. Check quotes for VAT and extra fees.

In England and Wales, usually when solicitors exchange contracts. Before exchange either party can normally withdraw; after exchange there may be serious financial consequences. Completion is when ownership transfers and keys are released.

You can deal directly with a seller, but take normal precautions. Use your own solicitor or conveyancer, consider a survey and do not transfer money based only on messages.

Yes. Message the seller through HownIt to request another viewing. Choose a mutually convenient time and ask permission before taking photographs.

Check the listing status and contact the seller through HownIt for the latest position. A listing may not update immediately after an offer is agreed.

Yes. You can make an offer and discuss it directly with the seller, who may accept, decline or make a counteroffer. HownIt does not negotiate for either party.

You can usually obtain a title register from HM Land Registry for a small fee. Your conveyancer will also check ownership and title as part of the purchase.

Freehold usually means owning the property and its land. Leasehold means owning a property for the remaining term of a lease, often with charges and restrictions. Ask your conveyancer to explain the details.

Ask your surveyor about the seriousness and likely next steps. You may request repairs, seek quotes, renegotiate or withdraw before exchange. Discuss your options with your conveyancer.

Yes. Unless exempt, HownIt requires your current EPC band before you can submit a rental listing. Minimum energy efficiency rules also apply.

No. HownIt requires your current EPC band before submitting a rental advert. Minimum energy efficiency requirements also apply.

Yes. You can advertise and manage it yourself. You arrange viewings, choose tenants fairly, handle required checks and paperwork, collect rent and deposits and organise repairs. HownIt only provides advertising.

Check permission to let, licensing, EPC and minimum energy standards. Prepare the rent, deposit, photos and accurate property details. Follow the rules on rental bidding and discrimination.

Check income, employment, previous rental references and credit information fairly, or use an independent referencing provider. For tenancies covered by England’s tenant-fee rules, landlords cannot charge applicants for referencing.

In England, landlords must carry out prescribed Right to Rent checks on every adult who will live at the property as their main home, before the tenancy agreement is entered into. Use the official guidance; referencing alone is not enough.

For most applicable English tenancies, protect the deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it and give the required prescribed information within the same deadline. HownIt does not handle deposits.

Possibly. HMO, additional or selective licensing may apply depending on the property, occupiers and area. Check with your local council before letting.

Yes. You can separately appoint a referencing service, legal adviser, inventory provider or qualified safety contractor, while managing the tenancy yourself. Agree fees and responsibilities in advance.

The landlord or professionals they appoint. HownIt does not collect rent, hold deposits, issue tenancy documents, manage repairs or carry out safety checks.

Check applicable gas safety, electrical safety, alarms, property condition and any licensing rules. Provide the legally required documents and follow current tenancy requirements.

In England, major changes took effect on 1 May 2026, including assured periodic tenancies, new rules on rent bidding, advance rent, pets and discrimination. Read the official landlord guidance.

England has restrictions on when rent may be requested or accepted and on advance payments. Do not request or accept rent before the tenancy agreement is signed; check the current rules before agreeing payment terms.

No. In England, landlords must not discriminate against applicants because they have children or receive benefits. Assess applications fairly using lawful, consistent criteria.

Tenants in England have the right to request permission to keep a pet. You must consider requests and may refuse only for a valid reason. Avoid blanket statements that misrepresent these rights.

No. For covered private rentals in England, you must advertise a specific asking rent and must not invite, encourage or accept bids above it.

A holding deposit reserves a property while checks are completed. In England, it is generally capped at one week’s rent, with rules about deadlines and refunds. Check the guidance before taking one.

The landlord remains responsible for legally required repairs and keeping the home safe and fit to live in, even if contractors are used. Tenants should know how to report problems.

In England, ending a tenancy requires the correct legal grounds, notices and process where applicable. Section 21 no-fault eviction was abolished for covered tenancies from 1 May 2026. Obtain current guidance before acting.

HownIt is a family-run Doncaster property advertising platform. Owners create their own adverts, communicate directly with interested people and stay in control. We are not estate agents.

No. Buyers, sellers and landlords communicate directly. HownIt does not conduct viewings, negotiate offers, progress sales or handle property payments.

There’s no need for one. Listing on HownIt is free. No contract, no commission. If we ever introduce charges, we’ll tell you well in advance and nothing will be charged without your agreement.

We are a Doncaster family building another way for people to advertise homes for sale or rent. We want people to know who we are and understand exactly what our platform does.

No. HownIt is an online property advertising platform, not an estate agent or letting agent. Owners manage enquiries, viewings and negotiations themselves.

Owners create a property listing and speak directly with interested buyers or tenants. HownIt provides the advertising space, not estate agency or legal services.

Yes. Listing on HownIt is free. No contract, no commission. If we ever introduce charges, we’ll tell you well in advance and nothing will be charged without your agreement.

Your listing stays live until it is sold or let, or until you remove it. There is no end date. We may remove a listing that breaks our policies. You can manage your listing from your account.

Interested buyers create an account, verify their email and message you directly through your HownIt listing.

You can manage your listing from your account. Some changes may need review before they appear. Check your dashboard or contact support if you need help.

Update or close your listing when the sale or letting is agreed or completed, as appropriate, so visitors are not misled about availability.

No. HownIt never takes a percentage of your sale price, and listing is currently free.

Use the report option where available or email support@hownit.com with the details. Do not send money or sensitive documents to someone you do not trust.

HownIt lets you advertise your property and talk directly with buyers or tenants without estate agent commission from HownIt. You do the viewings and negotiations yourself, rather than receiving full agency support.

No. There is no free period to run out, and your listing has no end date. Listing on HownIt is free. No contract, no commission. If we ever introduce charges, we’ll tell you well in advance and nothing will be charged without your agreement.

No. Listing on HownIt is currently free, so there's nothing to pay. If we ever introduce charges, we'll tell you well in advance and nothing will be charged without your agreement.

We'll explain why your advert wasn't approved and what to change. You can update it and resubmit at any time.

Yes. You can withdraw your listing at any time from your account. Listing is currently free, so there are no charges or refunds to worry about.

Yes. HownIt supports land and commercial property adverts. Just choose the right category when you list.

Email support@hownit.com with your question or the details of your listing. HownIt provides platform support, not estate agency or legal advice.