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Published: 29 January 2026

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New Tenancy Agreement Requirements Announced: What Oxford Landlords Need to Know

Specific legal requirements for what to include in new tenancy agreements have been announced.

Here at Cherry Picked Residental, we specialise in letting and managing properties for landlords across Oxford. Here is our guide to help you navigate the upcoming changes to tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act, before the date arrives!

With the 1st May 2026 deadline fast approaching for most new private assured tenancies, now is the time to understand what’s required and make sure your documentation is ship-shape and watertight.

The key change: written statements become mandatory

From 1st May 2026, most new private assured tenancies must include a written statement containing specific mandatory information, provided before the tenancy is agreed.

This represents a significant legal change to how rental arrangements are formalised, and getting it right is crucial to avoid enforcement action and potential fines.

What must be included in your written statement

The government’s draft secondary legislation sets out a comprehensive list of mandatory information set to be included. Here’s what every written statement for an assured periodic tenancy is expected to contain under the new rules.​

Basic tenancy information

Your written statement must clearly identify the core details of the tenancy:

• The landlord’s full name – if the property has multiple owners, every joint landlord must be named.
• All tenants’ names – every individual who will be party to the agreement.
• A service address in England or Wales – this is where tenants can serve notices on the landlord.
• The property address being let – one hopes this one is a no brainer.
• The date from which the tenant is entitled to possession of the property.

The regulations also note contact details and certain identifiers will be included, so in practice your template will need to capture all prescribed items rather than just the headline points above.

Financial terms

Financial transparency is central to new requirements:

• The rent amount and payment schedule – how much is payable, how often and on what dates.
• A clear statement that rent can only be increased using the statutory rent increase process (the updated Section 13 route), rather than by informal or unilateral increases.
• Utility and service arrangements – whether utilities, TV licence, communication services or council tax are included in the rent or paid separately.

If they are paid separately, you must explain how and when payment is due, or how the tenant will be notified of charges.

• The security deposit amount (if applicable) – you must state the amount to be paid as a deposit.

You do not have to specify in the written statement which deposit protection scheme will be used, although you still have to comply with the existing tenancy deposit protection rules and provide the prescribed information separately.​

Notice periods and possession rights

Tenants need to understand their rights and obligations around ending the tenancy and how possession works.

The minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the agreement has a defined statutory minimum, and will be set in regulations.

A statement explaining possession procedures, which is drawn from the Housing Act 1988, must cover three key points:

• The landlord can normally only end an assured tenancy through obtaining a possession order from the court.
• To obtain a court order, the landlord typically needs to serve a notice in the prescribed form setting out the statutory grounds for possession (commonly referred to as a Section 8 notice).
• The notice period will depend on which grounds for possession are being used and what those grounds relate to.

As the wording of these possession explanations is prescribed, your documentation will need to align with the final form set out in the regulations.​

Property standards and safety

Your written statement must include several declarations about property standards:

• A statement confirming the landlord’s obligation to ensure the property is fit for human habitation, reflecting the modern “fitness” duties that apply to most private tenancies.
• A statement outlining the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, covering repairs to the structure, exterior and key installations.
• A statement detailing the landlord’s obligations under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations.
• If the property has gas, a statement covering the landlord’s obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

These elements are designed to ensure tenants are explicitly told, in writing, what standards they can expect from their home.

Equality and accessibility

Two important provisions relate to equality and accessibility:

• Information about Section 190 of the Equality Act 2010 – this confirms that landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent to disability‑related improvements that would help a disabled occupant enjoy the premises.
• Information about the tenant’s rights around adaptations and how to request consent in a way that is consistent with the Equality Act framework.

In practice, this should encourage earlier conversations about reasonable adjustments and clarity over what will be permitted.

Pets and pet requests

The new regime also strengthens tenants’ rights around keeping pets:

• Tenants will be able to request permission to keep a pet under a new section inserted into the Housing Act 1988 by the Renters’ Rights Act, and landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent.
• The written statement must explain this right to request a pet and how landlords will deal with such requests, including any timescales for responding.

Any conditions attached to consent, such as requiring additional cleaning or damage clauses, will still need to comply with the Tenant Fees Act and the existing deposit cap, as there is no separate “pet deposit” permitted.

Special circumstances

If applicable:

• For supported accommodation, you must include a statement identifying it as such and explaining why it meets the criteria set out in the regulations.​

This helps distinguish supported tenancies from standard private lets where slightly different rules and expectations can apply.​

How this affects Oxford landlords

For our clients across Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages, there are clear practical implications we are keeping on top of on your behalf:

• For new tenancies starting on or after 1st May 2026: providing the written statement before the agreement is signed or otherwise agreed. This information can be incorporated directly into our tenancy agreement or provided as a clearly linked separate document.
• For existing written tenancies created before 1st May 2026: we do not need to issue entirely new agreements just because of the written statement rules, but we must provide all named tenants with a government‑issued information sheet by 31st May 2026. This information sheet is expected to be published in March 2026.

We don’t operate on verbal agreements as an agency, but if you are reading this and currently not a client of ours, and if you do have any existing verbal‑only agreements that started before 1st May 2026, you need to take action – and soon.

Landlords will be required to provide a full written statement with details of the key terms by a statutory deadline (currently expected to fall later in summer 2026), not just an information sheet.

Where a tenancy is partly written and partly verbal, the transitional rules are expected to focus on ensuring the tenant at least receives the government information sheet, with additional written terms provided where necessary to plug obvious gaps.​

The risks of non‑compliance

Failure to provide a compliant written statement, or to meet the deadlines for existing tenancies, exposes both landlords and agents to enforcement action, including financial penalties.

Civil penalties for breaches of the new duties can reach several thousand pounds per offence, and repeat or serious non‑compliance may lead to more severe sanctions.

In a competitive rental market like we have here in Oxford, regulatory issues and disputes around unclear terms are the last thing most landlords want distracting from securing and keeping good tenants.​

Our approach: getting ready now

Although the final version of the statutory instrument is expected in March 2026, we are already working with our own landlords to review and update tenancy documentation so it can be quickly aligned with the confirmed wording, based on the details in this latest government announcement.

The draft legislation does, after all, offer a clear roadmap, and starting early means we won’t be rushed, nor should our clients feel under pressure when the deadline arrives.

We are also monitoring sector feedback on these requirements.

Industry bodies such as Propertymark and the NRLA have successfully pushed for clarifications on timing and delivery methods, and there are ongoing discussions about how best to reflect agents’ details and to accommodate the upcoming landlord unique identifiers that will be linked to the new Private Rented Sector Database (a separate but related reform under the wider Renters Rights Act 2026).

What you should do next

If you are a client of ours already, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

If not, then to prepare and stay ahead of changes, Oxford landlords should:

• Review current tenancy agreements and any side letters – identify where they fall short of the new written statement requirements.
• Watch for the March publication of the final statutory instrument and the government information sheet – these will set the definitive requirements and wording.
• Plan your timeline – if you have tenancies starting in early May, build in time now for agreement updates and for issuing the information sheet to existing tenants.

By all means, if you are unsure about these changes and feel it is time to seek professional advice, please do contact us to discuss updates.

We can help you prepare compliant documentation that folds the prescribed wording into your existing templates without over‑complicating them.​

Final thoughts

These changes add some administrative steps to the letting process, but they do serve an important purpose: ensuring tenants have clear, comprehensive information about their rights and obligations from day one. In our experience across Oxford’s diverse rental market, this kind of transparency helps prevent disputes, sets clear expectations and supports stronger landlord‑tenant relationships.

The key is preparation, however. By understanding what’s required and acting now, you’ll be ready when 1st May arrives and your lettings can continue smoothly without interruption – and without you feeling under any stress or pressure.

If you have questions about how these changes affect your specific properties or circumstances, please get in touch.

This article is for guidance purposes and reflects the draft secondary legislation available in January 2026; landlords should seek professional advice for their particular situation and keep an eye out for the final statutory instrument expected in March 2026.

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Published: 23 January 2026

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This week brought some mixed economic news. For several months we have seen gradually falling inflation, leading to six base rate cuts since August 2024, with hopes for more. But this week we heard that inflation has ticked up again, to 3.4% in December, from 3.2% in November.

At the same time, however, the Rightmove House Price Index reported the largest January rise in average asking prices since the index began 25 years ago. 2.8%!

In many ways this is being read as signalling renewed economic confidence.

So what does this mean for your house move in Oxford? Is one right and one wrong? Does one bit of news matter more, and the other less. If you are selling your home?

Overall, there is still plenty of reason to feel confident about moving home.

Here is a breakdown of the key developments and what they mean for the weeks and months ahead.

Understanding December’s inflation rise

Before sounding any alarm bells, it is worth understanding what drove December’s inflation uptick. Not only that, but to note that it had been expected – albeit the expectation was to see 3.3%, and it rose to 3.4.

The increase was largely attributed to specific sectors rather than broad price pressures across the whole economy, with tobacco duty changes and higher December air fares playing a big part in the rise.

Economists often describe these as largely “one‑off” or time‑limited factors: temporary bumps in certain industries or sectors, rather than clear evidence of a full reversal in the broader disinflation trend.

The bigger picture on inflation

Despite December’s surprise, the wider view among many forecasters is that inflation is still likely to move closer to the Bank of England’s 2% target over the course of 2026. That matters.

The exact pace and timing are uncertain, and recent data is a reminder that the path downwards will not always be smooth. In fact, we shouldn’t expect it to be.

For homeowners and movers, it is the broader trend which matters more than any single monthly figure. It is the medium‑term outlook after all that will guide interest rate decisions and, in turn, mortgage pricing.

What this could mean for interest rates

With inflation ticking up slightly, the February interest rate decision has become more finely balanced. It makes it more likely that the Bank of England will hold rates steady at that meeting, as policymakers will want clearer evidence that inflation is firmly under control before making cuts.

Here is how we expect this to affect Oxford homeowners and buyers:

• For those on variable and tracker mortgages: Payments are likely to stay broadly where they are in the near term. However, if inflation resumes its downward trend later in the year, further rate cuts are still expected in 2026 and these sorts of mortgages track the base rate – tracker rates directly, variable rates less so, but broadly speaking.
• For those seeking fixed‑rate mortgages: Lenders have been competing in recent weeks to bring their product rates down and win customers. This latest inflation news may cause fixed‑rate reductions to level off in the short term, but there remain some appealing products for buyers and those remortgaging.

The property market remains resilient

Some genuinely encouraging news is that the property market continues to show real resilience. Rightmove’s latest index shows January produced the largest jump in average asking prices for any January since the measure began, suggesting that buyer confidence and demand have picked up again.

For sellers in Oxford, it will come as welcome relief. It is well known that London’s market has taken a downturn in recent months – at odds with the rest of the country, overall, but perhaps a historic correction of sorts, after the steep rises seen in London over previous years. 

But certain markets have followed suit, and whilst Oxford hasn't seen the same level of price decline as London, it has nevertheless fallen - which naturally affects confidence amongst those thinking of selling. The average property value in Oxford currently is, in fact, 5% lower than it was 12 months ago, according to Rightmove’s data. The average property here is now £560,288.

That said, well-presented, well-priced homes are attracting strong interest, and, in many cases, actually securing better prices than a few months ago.

Overall, however, confidence has taken a knock as prices have dropped – not just in Oxford but across Oxfordshire and, indeed, the South East.

Rightmove’s House Price Index news might be the signal, therefore, that this low confidence might be about to turn.

For buyers, rising prices are never ideal, but they do indicate a healthy, functioning market rather than a stagnant or falling one. Also, for any buyers who have been watching, waiting for the bottom of the market, this might be the sign you need that things are not likely to fall further. 5% in a year is significant, but as confidence starts to return to the wider market, this pattern is likely to reverse fairly quickly.

A promising window of opportunity

Taking all of this together, the first half of 2026 looks set to be a favourable time to make your move in Oxford.

We remain one of the country’s most sought-after locations, with our history, University environment, low crime rate, excellent transport links and access to wonderful green spaces and surrounding countryside. Demand for quality homes here often outstrips the supply coming to market.

Mortgage rates, while not guaranteed to fall further immediately, are generally far more manageable than they were 12–18 months ago, bringing some previously priced‑out buyers back into the market.

If you are selling, you are doing so against a backdrop of recovering asking prices here in Oxford. If you are buying, moving sooner rather than later may mean getting in ahead of any further price growth should the current momentum continue.

A balanced approach to moving in 2026

A rise in inflation, even a relatively modest one driven by specific categories, is not ideal news and does add a note of caution to the near‑term outlook.

At best, it may delay the interest rate cuts that many were hoping to see early this year, and there is no guarantee about the speed or scale of future reductions.

However, context is crucial. The overall picture still looks positive – by comparison to the way things looked in 2025, for example. Inflation is expected by many to ease over time, borrowing costs have reduced, and when it comes to the property market, we see it demonstrating renewed strength.

For those considering a move in Oxford in 2026, with every reason to expect that the fall in property prices may at last be levelling off, it is a positive moment for sellers and buyers alike.

As always, speaking with a professional adviser is the best way to understand how these trends apply to your specific budget and plans. If you are thinking about selling or buying in Oxford this year, we would be delighted to talk you through the local market, help you plan your move and support you in finding your new home, or securing a buyer for your own.

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Published: 20 January 2026

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Today marks National Cheese Lovers Day (20th January), and here in Oxford, we have every reason to celebrate. From the cheese counter in our historic Covered Market to cutting-edge artisan producers, cheesemongers and delis dotted across the city and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside, living here is a paradise for anyone who appreciates a nice cheeseboard of an evening.

Whether you're choosy about cheddar, go barmy for a bit of blue, or it’s a good bit of ewe’s that’s for you, Oxfordshire has something rather special to offer.

A City That Created Its Own Cheese… Eventually

Oxford isn't just home to world-class universities – we've also produced a world-class cheese. But it’s a funny old story...

In 1995, Baron Robert Pouget – he who also created the brilliant, spicy Oxford Sauce (something that deserves much wider recognition!) – created Oxford Blue; his aim: to develop a creamy, milder alternative to traditional blue English cheeses like Stilton. Something, in fact, to rival the Roqueforts and St. Agur’s of his homeland.

Named for our city, and created by a fellow who may be a French Baron but has his heart firmly set here in the city, the Oxford Blue was actually developed at the famous Hartington Dairy in Derby, and produced there for many years until the dairy closed. Production moved temporarily to Wales, but the Baron was determined to bring his cheese home – and so he purchased an old barn just outside Burford, converted it (after some trials and tribulations) into his new dairy, and it is here that the Oxford Blue is now produced, right here in Oxfordshire.

Now one of England's most popular blue cheeses, it has twice won Gold at the British Cheese Awards, and remains a point of pride for any cheese lovers who call Oxford home. You'll find it gracing cheese boards across the country, but what can be better, on National Cheese Lovers Day, than enjoying a small wedge in the very city it was named for?

The Oxford Cheese Company, which produces the Oxford Blue, also produces Oxford Isis – a washed-rind cheese matured in mead with a bold, earthy character, and their range has expanded to include chutneys and accompaniments through the Oxford Provender brand- not least, that Oxford Sauce!

Just another of Oxford’s many quirks.

Where the Locals Shop

For over forty years, the Oxford Cheese Company’s cheese counter has been the beating heart of the cheese scene in the city. Located in the historic Covered Market, this gem of a shop supplies many of Oxford's colleges and finest restaurants.

The knowledgeable staff can guide you through their carefully curated selection of rare alpine cheeses and British farmhouse varieties, making it a destination for both tourists and discerning locals alike – so if you’re stuck wondering what to go for this National Cheese Lovers Day, take a trip down there on your break and feel free to ask them – they’ll be delighted to help you!

But the Oxford Cheese Company is not the only local cheesemonger worth a look.

Just a short stroll away on Little Clarendon Street, the Jericho Cheese Company focuses on British and Irish farmhouse cheeses. Their commitment to small-scale producers and traditional methods means every cheese has a story to tell.

They specialise in raw-milk varieties and cheeses from farms that prioritise sustainable, environmentally conscious practices – precisely the kind of attitude that makes Oxford tick.

Oxfordshire's Artisan Producers

Beyond the city centre, Oxfordshire's countryside is home to some remarkable cheesemakers. Nettlebed Creamery, just a twenty-minute drive away, produces organic artisan cheese, milk, and kefir on their farm. Their Cheese Shed café and shop offer refreshments and the chance to purchase their products directly from the source. Why not pop along one day for a cup of tea and a toastie, and see where their beautiful cheeses are made?

At Earth Trust Farm in Little Wittenham, local couple Fraser Norton and Rachel Yarrow hand-make small-batch goats' cheese from their own herd of pasture-fed Anglo-Nubian goats – known as the ‘Jersey Cow’ of goats, due to the richness and creaminess of the milk they produce. Their cheeses, including Brightwell Barrow and Sinodun Hill, are named after local landmarks (Sinodun Hill is an old name for the Wittenham Clumps, as most know them today), rooting their products firmly in our Oxfordshire landscape.

Making the Most with a Fine Local Pairing

We’re lucky to have some fantastic local cheese makers in this county of ours - but we are also producing great local wines too, to pair them with!

The Brightwell Vineyard near Wallingford started planting in the 1980s and has been owned by its current owners since the year 2000. Its chalky soil and sheltered low-lying valley landscape, sheltered between the Cotswolds and the Chilterns, make ideal growing conditions for many grape varieties.

Their Pinot Noir has been rated in the Top 5 UK Red Wines (2024), and is a great pairing with an Oxford Blue.

For a great local white wine, we like the Hendred Vineyard – at Hendred in the Vale of the White Horse. It is one of England’s oldest vineyards, producing wine here for over fifty years. Its Rosé and Sparkling wines have both won recent awards, but the Hendred Furlong – a still white wine – is our recommendation for a subtle, fruity white to enjoy with a bit of Sinodun Hill goats cheese.

Celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day, Oxford Style

So how should we mark National Cheese Lovers Day? Here are some suggestions from a couple of Cherry Picked cheese lovers who know the city well:

Visit the Covered Market – Oxford's historic market is a treasure in itself, and popping into the Oxford Cheese Company gives you the chance to discover something new. The staff's expertise means you'll leave with exactly the right cheese for your taste.

Create a local cheese board – Showcase Oxfordshire's finest: Oxford Blue, a soft goats' cheese from Norton and Yarrow, perhaps something from the Nettlebed Creamery. Add some Oxford Sauce and Provender chutney, crackers, and you've got a proper celebration of local produce.

Support independent shops – They are keepers of tradition and champions of quality, and they need your local custom. The Jericho Cheese Company and Oxford Cheese Company connect us to small farms and artisan producers across Britain and beyond.

Share your discoveries – Cheese makes a thoughtful gift. A carefully chosen selection shows you've put genuine care into it, and supporting local businesses while you're at it makes it even better.

The Oxford Difference

Living in Oxford means being part of a community that values quality, heritage, and innovation. Our cheese scene perfectly encapsulates this – Baron Pouget creating Oxford Blue in the 1990s, artisan producers crafting award-winning cheeses in the local countryside, and independent shops and delis here in the heart of the city and scattered throughout the county.

We're fortunate to have the best of both worlds: a vibrant city centre with historic markets and specialist shops, and the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside where skilled cheesemakers still work their craft. It's these connections – between city and country, tradition and innovation, local makers and local gourmands – that make Oxford such a special place to live.

So today, take a moment to appreciate the cheese in your life – as well as the city and county you live in. Whether you're discovering one of our local cheeses for the first time or returning to an old favourite, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate what makes our corner of the world so special, which isn’t just the normal University-based heritage that tends to drive things here.

And you know what? If you can’t manage to do it today, why not let National Cheese Lovers Day be the nudge you need to celebrate it sometime soon, nevertheless. Because if we don’t support these local artisans and independent producers – and indeed our local independent shops and other businesses in general – we soon regret it once we’ve lost them.

Happy National Cheese Lovers Day, Oxford!

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Published: 16 January 2026

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How we protect Oxford Homeowners from Gazundering

Every so often, two familiar words resurface in the press – usually in opposite markets: gazumping and gazundering.

Estate Agents, unfortunately, tend to rank low in terms of public trust and reputation – something that here at Cherry Picked Residential, we truly try our best to turn on its head. The peculiarity of both gazumping and gazundering, however, is that they are driven by individual buyers and sellers, not estate agents.

People might tell themselves that agents encourage gazumping because it means earning a higher fee, but that is a misconception.

Admittedly, our job is to achieve the best price for people selling their property in Oxford, but gazumping is definitely not what we encourage to achieve that.

Firstly, if a higher offer is accepted, it means starting the legal process all over again, and that takes weeks.

Secondly, whilst it is technically true that estate agents will earn a higher fee if the sale price increases, realistically, that extra 1-2% of fee earned on the extra £10,000, £20,000, or even £50,000 of sale price is not enough to move an agent’s needle. Certainly not enough to be worth the reputational risk and human hurt.

And thirdly? Frankly, anyone can reduce their offer at any time, so who is to say the higher gazumping offer will remain the same by the time the sale is ready to go through?

And that brings us neatly to gazundering – gazumping’s less well-known sibling.

Gazundering: the bane of a buyer’s market (if you don't handle it)

Gazundering, in simple terms, is the act of renegotiating an agreed price by lowering their offer on a property after the sale has been agreed, often just before exchange, to pressure the seller into accepting less.

It can happen at any point, but the problems come when it happens towards the end of a transaction – especially if it is approaching exchange of contracts (or even happens on the day of exchange itself).

Sellers can feel so held to ransom and helpless to do anything else that they agree.

And it is gazundering, rather than gazumping, that might just be about to make its way into headlines you will see.

In a recent property industry article, Osbornes Law, a London-based law firm, claimed that gazundering is becoming more common again, given the current softer state of the market, with buyers attempting late-stage price reductions, often citing surveys or wider uncertainty just before exchange.

Staggeringly, their claim is that this now affects 90% of transactions.

Sure enough, with a figure like this quoted, it was only a matter of weeks before it made its way from the pages of the property industry press to major publications such as The Times and the Standard, where members of the public, rather than just estate agents, would see it.

Of course, it’s a narrative that is bound to get attention, and potentially cause concern.
But it is not one we recognise ourselves in our day-to-day work.

This doesn’t mean gazundering never happens. It does.
But it is far less common than those headlines imply – and, crucially, it’s rarely a surprise in well-managed transactions.

What we’re actually seeing on the ground

Locally, here in Oxford, we see our own agreed prices overwhelmingly honoured through to exchange. Most buyers act in good faith, and most transactions progress exactly as they should.

That 90% figure is just not one we recognise personally, at least not here in Oxfordshire – so that is the first thing to reassure you about if you are thinking of selling your home in Oxford. Reviewing our own figures here at Cherry Picked, we place it at somewhere at the very opposite end of the scale - more like 10%.

Even then, when we do see renegotiation on our own sales, it is usually less a case of gazundering and more likely due to unforeseeable issues raised by full surveys.

In those cases, where a buyer is looking at an unexpected financial loss to set things right, there might be a conversation to be had and a decision to be made – and that, realistically, is good estate agency.

That said, gazundering in the form described earlier – a deliberate act to lower the purchase price during a vulnerable moment for the seller – isn’t unheard of in the industry (or it wouldn’t have a name at all).

Where issues do arise in general estate agency, rather than here at Cherry Picked Residential, they tend not to come out of nowhere. They are usually the result of:

• unclear expectations early on
• slow or fragmented communication
• a deliberate lack of disclosure up front
• a lack of active oversight once a sale is agreed

In other words, gazundering isn’t often a market problem.
It’s a process problem.

And good estate agents plan for process.

How we protect people from gazundering in Oxford

Our approach is built around some simple principles:

• Honesty and transparency, not swagger and complacency
• Prevention beats reaction
• Communication is key

Here’s what it looks like in practice.

1. Structure from the start
   We outline our expectations by setting out clear milestones early in the process: surveys, mortgage offers, the stages we expect to reach in the legal process, etc. It means that everyone understands what ‘good progress’ actually looks like. Structured deals are harder to derail late on, especially once the buyer is engaged and financially committed (i.e. with ‘skin in the game’).
2. Transparency from the start
   If there are problems with the property, we want to be clear about them from the start – at the point of listing and during viewings, not when the offer comes in. If that is a 20-year-old flat roof and it's high time it was replaced, we will broadcast that. It means the buyer has that information to consider when making their decision about what to offer. If a survey later says, ‘the flat roof needs replacing’, the buyer has no grounds to come back and ask for money off as a result. But usually, they won’t feel the need to, either. They appreciated the honesty in the first place, and they aren’t surprised that the surveyor has confirmed what we told them.
3. Active sales progression
   We don’t wait for issues to land in our inbox. Regular contact with solicitors, brokers and buyers allows us to spot potential friction early, while there’s still room to resolve it.
4. Open, transparent communication
   Sellers are kept informed throughout. Not just when something goes wrong, but as a matter of course. It avoids rushed decisions and removes unnecessary pressure. We ask the buyers uncomfortable questions. We’re human, so we know life can get in the way, but we are also professionals, and we have a job to do to see a transaction through its core phases. If we feel a buyer is hiding, making excuses or manufacturing problems or delays, that is a warning sign we will discuss with our sellers straight away. We won’t leave things to chance.
5. Ongoing market awareness
   We keep a close eye on market sentiment and local conditions during the transaction, not just at the valuation stage. If the mood of the market shifts, we’ll be aware and advise accordingly.
6. Sensible contingency planning
   We maintain contact with previously interested parties. It is not to create uncertainty, but to ensure our sellers are never left exposed if circumstances change, if we can help it. If a buyer does try to reduce the agreed price without justification, knowing we have other interested parties on hand is a huge advantage in that negotiation.

The bottom line

Gazundering makes for dramatic headlines – but it remains unlikely in well-managed transactions.

If it does rear its ugly head, our sellers aren’t left exposed or scrambling.

We have a clear plan and are there to offer informed advice. We don’t want anyone to lose money, but we also sometimes help sellers see the full picture.

A bad roof revealed in a survey, that will cost £40,000 to fix? The seller didn’t know, we couldn’t have known, but after a survey the buyer, the seller, and we do all know.

So, do we truly think it is still worth the same price? If we do, then fine – let’s dig our heels in.

But if we don’t, and given the need to disclose it to any future buyers, should we not consider this new offer on its merits?

An attempt to renegotiate due to genuine new information from a survey is not, realistically, true gazundering.

Gazundering, in the shape that sellers really worry about, is the deliberate attempt to reduce an agreed purchase price unfairly, at the stage that a seller is feeling pressure. This is why it is important to be open about issues before the offer comes in, be clear on target milestones from the outset, be in constant contact during the transaction to spot red flags, and to maintain contact with other potential buyers who could offer a safety net if gazundering is attempted.

When it comes to selling homes, the course is rarely smooth – but this sort of scenario can be just a bump in the road, not a roadblock. Nevertheless, it pays to give yourself the best chance to avoid it.

Our best advice? Always work with an estate agent who can reassure you that they have robust processes and a plan in place. Just like we do.