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How to read this comparison
Headline details are agent or publisher claims unless a source-backed fact is explicitly marked verified. Aveno interpretations and calculations are labelled separately. Unknown means evidence is missing, not that a property fails a check.
Late-1970s mid-century modern house with a later pool-and-gym programme
Published description
Hartopp HouseFour Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Large contemporary rebuild with hotel-grade interiors and detached coach-house accommodation
Published description
The SpinneySandpit Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Outstandingly modernised detached family house with double-height glazing and a split-level plan
Published description
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Heathwoods7 bedrooms
7 bathrooms
Agent / publisher claim; layout needs checking.
Hartopp House6 bedrooms
6 bathrooms
Agent / publisher claim; layout needs checking.
The Spinney6 bedrooms
6 bathrooms
Agent / publisher claim; layout needs checking.
Floor area & its limits
HeathwoodsApprox. 7,104 sq ftPublished measurement; not independently measured.Measurement qualifications
The April 2026 exact-address EPC records 658 sq m, D63, gas heating and annual carbon emissions of 20 tonnes; it remains valid until April 2036.
Signed component-area schedule reconciling 7,104 sq ft with the EPC's 7,083 sq ft and defining every ancillary inclusion
Hartopp HouseApprox. 8,073 sq ftPublished measurement; not independently measured.Measurement qualifications
Signed component measurement reconciling the 8,073 sq ft headline and the legal use of every ancillary component
The SpinneyApprox. 4,896 sq ftPublished measurement; not independently measured.Measurement qualifications
Rightmove and OnTheMarket independently retain the live enquiry route and align on price, detached/freehold form, six bedrooms, six bathrooms and 4,896 sq ft.
Signed component-area schedule reconciling 4,896 sq ft with the 454 m² and 455 m² portal fields
Land, gardens & accommodation
HeathwoodsPublished land: approx. 2.5 acres
The current accommodation includes seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms; later works are attributed to an indoor swimming pool and gym, alongside garaging, stables, paddock and ancient woodland.
Agent / publisher claims. Unrecorded amenities and land extent remain unknown.
Hartopp HousePublished land: approx. 0.5 acres
The stated programme includes six bedroom suites, a sound-proofed cinema, gym and shower room, air conditioning, Vantage controls, Salto access, extensive CCTV and enterprise-grade network cabling.
Agent / publisher claims. Unrecorded amenities and land extent remain unknown.
The SpinneyPublished land: approx. 0.7 acres
The split-level kitchen and family room was redone in 2018 and is attributed with Miele appliances, a water softener, island seating and direct garden connection.
The seller's 2018 programme is also attributed to new electrics, heating and CCTV; the lower-ground level provides hobby, studio and gym space, alongside a double garage and landscaped gardens.
Agent / publisher claims. Unrecorded amenities and land extent remain unknown.
Energy & completion
Heathwoods
EPC D63 — exact-address certificate dated April 2026
Advertised performance does not establish measured use.
Needs checking: Official title number, UPRN, registered 2.5-acre extent and the complete access, covenant, boundary, drainage, woodland, paddock and stable position
Needs checking: Complete original-design, planning, Building Control, completion and warranty chronology for the house and later pool, gym, garage and equestrian works
Hartopp House
EPC published by the current instruction; certificate and rating to retrieve
Advertised performance does not establish measured use.
Needs checking: Complete planning, Building Control, completion, professional-team and warranty archive for the reported 2017 rebuild and coach house
Needs checking: Current EPC certificate, actual operating costs, service history and property-level environmental and high-value insurance evidence
The Spinney
EPC C — current listing attribution
Advertised performance does not establish measured use.
Needs checking: Precise postal number, official title number, UPRN, registered plot extent and the complete access, boundary, covenant, drainage, service and tree position
Needs checking: Named architect and complete 2018 planning, Building Control, structural, completion, warranty and professional-team chronology
Unknown: no matched prior transaction is connected to this record.
Hartopp House
Unknown: no matched prior transaction is connected to this record.
The Spinney
Unknown: no matched prior transaction is connected to this record.
Important missing information
Heathwoods
Official title number, UPRN, registered 2.5-acre extent and the complete access, covenant, boundary, drainage, woodland, paddock and stable position
Complete original-design, planning, Building Control, completion and warranty chronology for the house and later pool, gym, garage and equestrian works
Signed component-area schedule reconciling 7,104 sq ft with the EPC's 7,083 sq ft and defining every ancillary inclusion
Measured operating costs, plant and envelope service histories, insurability and property-level flood, ground, radon, contamination and tree evidence
Missing evidence is not a negative finding.
Hartopp House
Official title number, UPRN and definitive numbered-address bridge, registered plot extent and Four Oaks Estate covenant/service position
Complete planning, Building Control, completion, professional-team and warranty archive for the reported 2017 rebuild and coach house
Signed component measurement reconciling the 8,073 sq ft headline and the legal use of every ancillary component
Current EPC certificate, actual operating costs, service history and property-level environmental and high-value insurance evidence
Missing evidence is not a negative finding.
The Spinney
Precise postal number, official title number, UPRN, registered plot extent and the complete access, boundary, covenant, drainage, service and tree position
Named architect and complete 2018 planning, Building Control, structural, completion, warranty and professional-team chronology
Signed component-area schedule reconciling 4,896 sq ft with the 454 m² and 455 m² portal fields
Exact-property transaction history, evidenced 2018 capital cost, measured operating costs, system histories, insurability and property-level environmental evidence
Missing evidence is not a negative finding.
The reality of ownership
Features can bring both enjoyment and ongoing attention. These observations identify what to investigate, not estimated bills or confirmed defects.
Heathwoods
Pool or spa
Publisher evidenceThe current accommodation includes seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms; later works are attributed to an indoor swimming pool and gym, alongside garaging, stables, paddock and ancient woodland.
Practical questionWhat servicing, water treatment, plant replacement and winterisation does the pool or spa require, and can you provide service records?
Glazing
Publisher evidenceThe live instruction attributes the original house to architect Malcolm Lovibond, commissioned by Eric Stewart in 1976, with the architecture organised around extensive glazing and a double-height living volume.
Practical questionWho installed the glazing, what access is needed for cleaning and repairs, and are warranties transferable?
Energy and systems
Publisher evidenceThe April 2026 exact-address EPC records 658 sq m, D63, gas heating and annual carbon emissions of 20 tonnes; it remains valid until April 2036.
Practical questionCan you provide the current EPC, commissioning certificates, warranties and recent measured energy use?
Ask before you view
What servicing, water treatment, plant replacement and winterisation does the pool or spa require, and can you provide service records?
Who maintains the gardens and grounds, what is included in the sale, and can you provide the maintenance schedule?
Who installed the glazing, what access is needed for cleaning and repairs, and are warranties transferable?
What evidence can you provide before a viewing to resolve: Official title number, UPRN, registered 2.5-acre extent and the complete access, covenant, boundary, drainage, woodland, paddock and stable position?
For Heathwoods's advertised 7 bedrooms, which share a level with a bathroom and living space, and what steps are on the route from parking?
Occasional occupation: ask who checks this property while empty and what its services and insurance require.
Agent / publisher claimArchitecture and specification
A Malcolm Lovibond mid-century house of 7,104 sq ft on 2.5 acres, with seven bedrooms, indoor pool, gym, stables and ancient woodland beside Walton Heath.
The official title-and-UPRN pack joined to the original Lovibond archive, every later planning-and-completion file, a signed RICS component schedule and specialist pool, envelope and building-services reports.
There is insufficient feature-level evidence to assess ongoing attention for this home. Ask for a schedule of building systems, grounds responsibilities and recent service records.
Ask before you view
What evidence can you provide before a viewing to resolve: Official title number, UPRN and definitive numbered-address bridge, registered plot extent and Four Oaks Estate covenant/service position?
For Hartopp House's advertised 6 bedrooms, which share a level with a bathroom and living space, and what steps are on the route from parking?
For occasional occupation of Hartopp House, which systems need supervision and what vacant-period conditions apply to the current insurance?
Occasional occupation: ask who checks this property while empty and what its services and insurance require.
Agent / publisher claimArchitecture and specification
An 8,073 sq ft contemporary rebuild on the Four Oaks Estate, pairing six suites with cinema, gym, whole-house controls and independent coach-house accommodation.
The official title/address and estate-covenant pack joined to the complete 2017 rebuild-and-completion archive, a signed component measurement and a costed building-services survey.
Publisher evidenceThe split-level kitchen and family room was redone in 2018 and is attributed with Miele appliances, a water softener, island seating and direct garden connection.
Practical questionWho maintains the gardens and grounds, what is included in the sale, and can you provide the maintenance schedule?
Glazing
Publisher evidenceThe current instruction attributes a comprehensive 2018 refurbishment and double-storey wraparound extension, retaining original character while reorganising the house around a dramatic double-height entrance and extensive Crittall-style glazing.
Practical questionWho installed the glazing, what access is needed for cleaning and repairs, and are warranties transferable?
Ask before you view
Who maintains the gardens and grounds, what is included in the sale, and can you provide the maintenance schedule?
Who installed the glazing, what access is needed for cleaning and repairs, and are warranties transferable?
What evidence can you provide before a viewing to resolve: Precise postal number, official title number, UPRN, registered plot extent and the complete access, boundary, covenant, drainage, service and tree position?
For The Spinney's advertised 6 bedrooms, which share a level with a bathroom and living space, and what steps are on the route from parking?
Occasional occupation: ask who checks this property while empty and what its services and insurance require.
Agent / publisher claimArchitecture and specification
A £3.975m, 4,896 sq ft St Albans house transformed in 2018 around double-height glazing, a split-level Miele kitchen and six suites, held within 0.70 private acres.
The legal address, official title and UPRN joined to the complete 2018 planning-and-completion file, signed RICS component measurement, dated works ledger and three years of operating evidence.
Before You View supports initial research. It does not replace a survey, legal checks or professional valuation. Confirm availability and dated information with the selling agent before arranging a viewing.
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