Compulsory Purchase · We represent homeowners
Your home was never just a line on someone’s plan.
For over a decade we’ve stood beside homeowners facing the threat of compulsory purchase — making sure regeneration happens with you, never simply to you.
All of our compulsory purchase work is carried out under our specialist brand, Sawyer Fielding — a trading name of Websters Surveyors Ltd, and by some distance the UK’s most experienced team representing homeowners.
Watch · In Dan’s own words
From homeless to helping homeowners
In a few minutes, this is our whole story — why we do this, who we fight for, and exactly how we help homeowners facing compulsory purchase.
Why we do this
We started because we know what it feels like to lose the ground beneath you.
As a teenager, our founder Dan Knowles spent half a year homeless. He learned, the hard way, what a secure roof over your head really means. Years later, when his own home fell under the threat of compulsory purchase, those feelings came flooding back — and so did a conviction that has driven everything since.
We exist so that homeowners are never made to face the council, the developer or the housing association alone. Read our full story — from homeless to helping homeowners.
We believe regeneration should happen with people, not to them — and that a fair settlement should let you get on with the rest of your life, without the scars. — The belief behind Sawyer Fielding
Who leads the team that will represent you?
Dan Knowles FRICS
Dan has represented more homeowners affected by the threat of compulsory purchase than any other surveyor in the country.
- Co-author of the official RICS guide to Compulsory Purchase
- Sits on the RICS Expert Panel on Compulsory Purchase
- Former elected Board Member of the Compulsory Purchase Association, chairing its Estate Regeneration working group
- Has lectured on compulsory purchase at Oxford Brookes University
- A regular speaker at conferences and seminars across the sector
- Fellow of the RICS (FRICS) and RICS Registered Valuer
When you instruct us, this is the depth of expertise standing in your corner — and the team Dan has built around him is recognised across the industry as the best in the UK at one thing: protecting homeowners.
What you’re owed
What compensation am I entitled to?
Compulsory purchase compensation is built to leave you no worse off financially. Our job is to make sure every part of your entitlement is identified, valued properly and negotiated in full.
Unblighted Market Value
The full, true value of your home — ignoring the scheme that’s blighting it — set out in an RICS Red Book compliant valuation report.
Statutory Loss payments
Home Loss or Basic Loss compensation paid on top of market value, recognising the upheaval of being made to move.
Disturbance compensation
Your reasonable costs of moving — and, in some cases, other heads of claim that a specialist knows to look for.
We don’t stop at the cheque. We help you find somewhere new, deal with solicitors and mortgage brokers, and — for landlords — advise on Capital Gains Tax rollover relief and securing vacant possession. See Valuation & Negotiation and After Agreement.
The honest answer
What will this cost me?
In nearly every case, nothing. The acquiring authority — usually the council — pays the reasonable fees of a professional to represent you. On the rare occasion fees won’t be met in full, we tell you in writing before any work begins. More on what it costs.
How we guide you
With you from the first letter to the final completion.
Compulsory purchase is a legalistic, drawn-out process. We translate it, manage it and fight your corner at every stage. Explore each part on the Sawyer Fielding site:
Where we’ve stood beside homeowners
Trusted on the schemes that matter.
A selection of the regeneration and infrastructure schemes where we have represented homeowners. See them all on our interactive case-study map.
You’re stronger together
Facing a scheme on your estate?
We regularly present to groups of homeowners, explaining their rights in plain English and how acting together strengthens everyone’s position. Invite us to speak — or come along to a session.
Talk to a specialist
If your home is under threat, don’t face it alone.
A no-obligation conversation with our team will tell you where you stand — and in nearly every case, having us represent you costs you nothing.
Sawyer Fielding (part of Websters Surveyors Ltd) · office@sawyerfielding.co.uk · Covering all of London & surrounding areas