Accord Sales & Lettings - Selling and letting homes in Havering

Accord Sales & Lettings - Selling and letting homes in Havering Family run estate agency proudly serving Romford, Hornchurch & Upminster since 2008

Accord is an independent family run estate agency with offices in Romford and Upminster offering property sales, residential lettings and management throughout Havering and surrounding areas. Accord are proud to provide a friendly, helpful service based on sound knowledge and experience. We understand that effective communication is vital and we are here to guide buyers, sellers, landlords and ten

ants alike through the complicated sales and lettings processes. To provide our clients with total peace of mind, Accord is a fully Licensed Member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and are regulated by The Property Ombudsman Scheme.

Reviews like this are why we do what we do! Thank you for the 5 stars and your lovely feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
05/06/2026

Reviews like this are why we do what we do! Thank you for the 5 stars and your lovely feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏡 Havering House Hunters: What is Proof of Funds, and Do You Really Need It?💡 What is proof of funds?Proof of funds is e...
05/06/2026

🏡 Havering House Hunters: What is Proof of Funds, and Do You Really Need It?

💡 What is proof of funds?
Proof of funds is evidence that you can afford a property, usually shown in writing. It simply demonstrates that you have the money or financing in place to proceed with a purchase.

📄 What is usually accepted?
This can include a mortgage agreement in principle, bank statements showing savings, or a gifted deposit letter from a family member. It can also include things like sale proceeds, inheritance, or pension funds.

⚖️ The truth about proof of funds
You don’t need proof of funds to view a property or make an offer. Anyone telling you otherwise at this stage should be questioned carefully, especially if they are pushing you toward a specific mortgage provider.

🚩 When to be cautious
If an agent insists you must use their recommended broker just to get proof of funds early on, this could be considered conditional selling, which many regard as poor practice.

📌 When you DO need it
Proof of funds becomes essential once your offer is accepted. It is required for anti-money laundering checks carried out by the estate agent and conveyancer.

👍 Why it still helps
Even though it isn’t mandatory at the start, having proof of funds can make your offer stronger. It shows sellers you are serious and ready to proceed, which can give you an advantage in competitive situations.

🏠 Final word
If you’re looking to buy, you’re welcome to view properties even without proof of funds in place yet. And if you’re thinking of selling, we’re happy to talk you through finding the right buyer.

✅ Estate Agency Done Ethically
We are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network and independently assessed every six months. We are the only local agency to have passed their standards, ensuring honesty, service, and accountability remain central to what we do.

03/06/2026

If your home isn’t selling, it’s costing you 👇💷

Most people think the only cost is the sale price.
It’s not.

If your home is sitting on the market, it’s costing you every single month:
💷 Mortgage payments
🧾 Insurance
💡 Utilities
🔧 Maintenance

And it adds up fast.

Worse still… if the market shifts or demand slows, you could end up selling for less than you would have with the right strategy from day one. 📉

This is where honest advice matters.

At Accord, we don’t just list and hope.
We help you understand the numbers, price it properly, and create a plan that actually gets you moving.

💬 If you’re on the market and not seeing movement or you’re thinking of selling, pop us a message.

We’ll run the numbers with you and give you a clear picture.

⏳ Why Your First Two Weeks on the Market Are Crucial📣 Why the Early Days MatterThe first two weeks after a property laun...
03/06/2026

⏳ Why Your First Two Weeks on the Market Are Crucial

📣 Why the Early Days Matter
The first two weeks after a property launches are usually the most important part of the entire sales process. This is when your home gets maximum visibility on property portals and is shown to the most active, motivated buyers who have been waiting for the right property to appear.

👀 Strong Launch = Strong Interest
When your property goes live, it is immediately pushed to buyers with saved searches. This often leads to the highest levels of enquiries, viewings, and early offers in the first few days.

🤝 Momentum Creates Competition
If pricing and presentation are right, early interest can build momentum quickly. This competition between buyers can lead to faster offers and stronger negotiating positions for the seller.

⚠️ The Risk of a Slow Start
If a property is overpriced or poorly presented at launch, buyers may dismiss it and not return. After a couple of weeks, it loses its “new to market” status, and newer listings start to take priority, reducing visibility and interest.

📉 Why Time on Market Matters
Once a property has been sitting for a while, buyers often assume there is a reason it hasn’t sold, even if nothing is wrong. This can lead to lower offers and reduced negotiating power.

🎯 Preparation Is Everything
The most successful sales come from getting everything right before launch, including pricing, photography, marketing, and presentation. It is much harder to rebuild momentum than to get it right from day one.

✅ Estate Agency Done Ethically
We are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network and independently assessed every six months. We are also the only local agency to have passed their standards. If you need straightforward advice about selling, we’re happy to help.

02/06/2026

Only locals will get full marks on this… 👇🔥

We put ourselves to the test with a Romford quiz and it got competitive 😅

👇 Would you have got these right?

⚽ Romford-born footballers
🍺 Local history (hello Romford Brewery 👀)
📺 TV shows filmed locally
🎤 Artists with Romford roots
📍 And even facts going back to the 1200s…

There’s a lot of history and character in this area, you just need to know where to look.
And that’s what makes working locally so important.

It’s not just about property… it’s about knowing the place inside out 🏡

💬 Think you’d beat the team?

Let me know how many you got right 👇

"We've passed the test." ✅But what does that actually mean?At the Ethical Agent Network, membership isn't handed out lig...
01/06/2026

"We've passed the test." ✅

But what does that actually mean?

At the Ethical Agent Network, membership isn't handed out lightly. Every member must meet a strict set of criteria designed to recognise agents who deliver exceptional service while making a positive impact in their communities.

To become an EAN member, agents must:

⭐ Have at least 50 Google reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars or above.

🤝 Demonstrate meaningful involvement in at least two community projects within the last 12 months.

💬 Complete an interview to ensure their values, vision and standards align with ours.

📜 Commit to and uphold the EAN Members' Promise.

Today, we're shining a spotlight on Accord Homes, Romford, who have successfully met these standards and continue to demonstrate what ethical estate agency looks like in practice.

We're proud to have them as part of the EAN community. 💚

🛡️ Is Your Landlord Insurance Actually Covering You?🔁 The Auto-Renewal TrapMany landlords take out insurance once and ra...
01/06/2026

🛡️ Is Your Landlord Insurance Actually Covering You?

🔁 The Auto-Renewal Trap
Many landlords take out insurance once and rarely review it. The policy renews automatically, but it may no longer suit your rental situation or risks.

🏠 Standard Home Insurance Won’t Cut It
Standard home insurance often doesn’t cover tenanted properties. If you haven’t declared a tenancy, claims can be rejected. Landlord insurance is designed specifically for rental risks.

📦 What Landlord Insurance Usually Covers
Most policies include buildings, loss of rent, landlord liability, and contents if furnished, but levels of cover vary widely between providers.

💸 Loss of Rent: The Common Gap
Loss of rent after events like fire or flood is usually covered, but tenant rent arrears are not. Rent guarantee insurance is normally a separate product.

⚖️ Liability: Don’t Assume Enough Cover
Landlord liability protects you if someone is injured due to property issues. Check your indemnity limit, as default amounts may not be sufficient.

🏚️ Void Periods: The Hidden Risk
Some policies reduce or stop cover after 30–60 days empty. This can affect you during refurbishments or between tenants if you haven’t notified your insurer.

⏱️ Worth a Quick Check
A short policy review could make a big difference if you ever need to claim. Specialist advice is often better than a comparison site.

✅ Letting Agency Done Ethically
We’re proud members of the Ethical Agent Network and independently assessed every six months. If you have questions, we’ll always give you a straight answer.

🏡 Let Only or Fully Managed – What’s the REAL Difference Now?Many landlords choose let-only services to save money upfro...
29/05/2026

🏡 Let Only or Fully Managed – What’s the REAL Difference Now?

Many landlords choose let-only services to save money upfront. Others prefer fully managed for convenience. But since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force this May, the difference between the two matters more than ever.

🔑 What Does “Let Only” Include?

With let only, your agent markets the property, finds a tenant, handles referencing and tenancy paperwork, and collects the initial rent and deposit.

After that, the ongoing management becomes your responsibility, including rent collection, maintenance, tenant communication, and any issues that arise.

🛠️ What Does “Fully Managed” Include?

Fully managed includes all of the above, plus ongoing support throughout the tenancy.

Your agent handles tenant communication, rent collection, maintenance coordination, compliance paperwork, and helps keep you on the right side of rental laws.

In short, it creates a far more hands-off investment experience.

⚖️ Why Fully Managed Matters More in 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced more compliance responsibilities, stronger enforcement powers, and tougher penalties for landlords who get things wrong.

That means fully managed services now offer more than convenience; they also provide guidance and protection.

A good, fully managed service can help landlords navigate:

🚫 New rules on rental discrimination and bidding
🐾 Updated pet regulations
📈 New rent increase procedures
🏠 Assured Periodic Tenancy requirements
🛡️ Deposit protection and safety compliance
⚖️ The updated Section 8 eviction process

🤝 Not All Letting Services Are Equal

Different agents offer very different levels of support within their let-only and fully managed packages.

That’s why it’s important to ask exactly what’s included before making a decision.

✅ Lettings Done Ethically

We’re proud members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN) and the only local agency to have passed the EAN bar, with reassessments every six months to maintain high standards.

If you want straightforward advice about renting or managing your property, talk to us.

28/05/2026

The rental market in Romford & Havering is still moving quickly… just not in the same way it was a couple of years ago 🏡📊

As we head further into May 2026, tenant demand remains strong, rental values are still historically high, and good homes are continuing to let well.

But the market has definitely become more considered 👀

Today’s tenants are taking their time.
They’re comparing properties carefully, watching their monthly budgets closely, and paying far more attention to things like energy efficiency, presentation, and overall value for money 💷⚡

That means the homes standing out right now are the ones that are clean, modern, realistically priced, and ready to move straight into ✨🔑

Properties close to transport links, especially around the Elizabeth Line, continue to perform particularly well, with strong enquiry levels and quick turnaround times 🚆

For landlords, this market is no longer about chasing unrealistic rent increases.
It’s about attracting the right tenant, reducing void periods, and thinking long term 🤝

And honestly, landlords who focus on quality and presentation are still seeing excellent results locally.

If you’re wondering what your property could achieve in today’s market, we’re always happy to have a proper conversation. 💬

Send us a message to book your free rental valuation today.

🏡 The Questions Every Seller Should Ask Before Agreeing to an Off-Market Sale“Off-market” selling sounds private, exclus...
27/05/2026

🏡 The Questions Every Seller Should Ask Before Agreeing to an Off-Market Sale

“Off-market” selling sounds private, exclusive, and sophisticated. While it can protect a seller’s privacy, it can also reduce the number of buyers competing for the property, which can affect the final sale price.

In some situations, off-market selling genuinely makes sense:

🔒 Privacy concerns
💔 Divorce or bereavement
🏢 Tenant-occupied properties
📈 Testing pricing before a full launch

But sellers should still understand the trade-off involved. The less exposure a property gets, the smaller the buyer pool becomes.

That’s why it’s important to ask questions before agreeing to an off-market strategy:

❓Why is it being recommended for my property?
📊 What evidence supports the asking price?
🚫 What happens if the buyer pulls out?
🌐 When does the property go fully to market?
🤝 Are there any existing relationships between the buyer and agency?

A good estate agent will welcome those questions, not avoid them.

✅ Estate Agency Done Ethically

A lot of people don’t trust estate agents. We’re trying to change that.

We’re proud members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN) and the only local agency to have passed the EAN bar, with reassessments every six months to maintain high standards.

📞If you want honest, straightforward advice, talk to us.

Address

Romford

Telephone

+441708748956

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