Well ... yes, I guess so. But they're being non-commital about my enquiry to them. Given what you've all now said, I suppose it's understandable that they're not going to say yeh or neh unless and until I quote them the actual address and they've then made their own checks.

As much as I'd like to sign up with AAISP, they're far too expensive for me. IDnet, for me, represents a fairly good choice, as they're just about affordable and, thus far, have a fairly good reputation.

Good point.

It is that simple, one number and one look up either there or later, will tell you if it is EO or not.

So, have you asked about gas and sewerage yet?

Because nothing can be guaranteed and with out actually knowing the exchange and/or address we can only make guesses.

e.g. it could be cabinet is on one side of the village and you are 1.1km away and thus speeds will not be great.

Actually, I have, and for very good reasons.

Some of you have given me things to think about, and I thank all of you for your individual responses.

I must say I'd have never known about the EO-only factor, which might be a real possibility in this instance. I'll now be noting down all your various recommendations, so that I can recall the sorts of things to ask the vendor(s) the next time I'm house-searching in that location (which could be within a month or two from now).

Mind you, considering the type of accommodation required, my purchase is more likely to be an 'executor's sale', so there may not be an actual occupier to ask, in which case I'd need to rely more than ever on what I myself could find out while at that location (and not relying on local hearsay or what the estate agent thinks).