A fresh coat of paint can help, but missing paperwork can delay a sale for months. Use August to prepare the information buyers and solicitors will need before an offer is agreed.

Summer is traditionally a quieter period for the UK property market, with school holidays, family commitments and overseas travel often causing buyers and sellers to put their plans on hold. This year, however, prolonged hot weather appears to have added to the seasonal slowdown.

A change of tenancy is a useful opportunity to review more than the rent. From property condition to compliance and management, a little preparation this autumn can help create a smoother next let.

Having an offer accepted on a property should feel like a major milestone. But getting from “offer accepted” to “completion” can sometimes feel like a very different story. New research suggests that conveyancing is now seen by many homebuyers as one of the biggest obstacles to a smooth property transaction — even more so than property chains.