Who are The National Association of Property Buyers?

There's a little blue badge across our website that says "NAPB"

But what exactly does that mean and how does it protect you?

You might have seen it across our website, that little blue and white badge that says “NAPB”.

We also regularly state across our site that we’re members of the National Association of Property Buyers, but what exactly does that mean for you as the customer?

We’ve put together this article that explains everything you need to know about The National Association of Property Buyers, including the codes of practice and who the members are, as it’s an association that relates directly to our sell house fast service.

About the National Association of Property Buyers

The National Association of Property Buyers, or NAPB, is a small group of companies that are all dedicated to helping improve the standards, especially across the quick house sale or cash house buyer industry.

It was formed in 2013 and it’s a voluntary membership service.

As a requirement, all the members of the NAPB also need to be registered with The Property Ombudsman (TPO) which will ensure that all the members follow the professional standards outlined by them and that homeowners are treated fairly with access to a free route to independent redress if there is a dispute.

As members of the National Association of Property Buyers, you can expect when you deal with them that they will be fair and transparent – and all the members are keen to help sellers understand whether this type of service will work for them, a no-pressure approach.

What are their codes of practice?

The NAPB share a code of practice document with The Property Ombudsman, as the members have to be part of the redress scheme.

The code of practice is mandatory for all those who are part of the NAPB & TPO, and it covers a wide aspect of different things, here are just a few of the main ones:

• You must comply with GDPR, Competition Act 1998, Consumer Protection for Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, along with several other current and relevant legislation.

• All the staff members of the company have to be fully conversant with all the aspects of the code of practice.

• You should provide a service that is consistent with fairness, integrity and best practice.

• Customers must all be treated equally.

• You should take special care when dealing with customers who may be disadvantaged.

• As a member, you must not release or use confidential information for any purpose other than that it was given by customers.

You can read the full codes of practice which include more information about the duty of care and conflict of interest, advertising for new business, the process and fees by visiting the NAPB company codes of practice page.

If I sell to a member of the NAPB am I protected?

The NAPB is an association that doesn’t directly protect you as the consumer, however, what it does do is ensure that everyone who is a member is signed up to The Property Ombudsman, which does ensure that companies follow the highest possible standards, and has a redress scheme.

If companies that are members of the TPO are found to be doing anything against the guidelines, they will have to financially compensate the wronged party.

How can I find out if a company is a member of the NAPB?

There are unfortunately often reports of unscrupulous businesses displaying the National Association of Property Buyers logo on their website without actually being members of the organisation.

So, how do you determine who are actually genuine members?

The NAPB list all of their active members on their website under their “members” section. The members are detailed in no particular order, but you should be able to find the company you are dealing with.

If you don’t find the company, and they are displaying the NAPB blue badge on their website, please make the association aware as they often warn against these companies on their homepage.

Should I sell to a company that isn’t a member?

Membership is voluntary and you are free to sell to whomever you want to sell to, but if they are not a member of the NAPB then you potentially leave yourself open as it may not mean they follow the strict and professional codes of practice that are dictated by The Property Ombudsman.

That being said, a company can be a member of The Property Ombudsman & not a part of The National Association of Property Buyers, and if this is the case, it should mean that you are still protected by the Ombudsman.