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New Build Property Conveyancing

New builds are increasingly popular. However, when purchasing a new build property, you have often committed to the purchase before the building work is completed. This is why the new build conveyancing process is different to buying an older property.

Our conveyancing team specialises in dealing with new build property conveyancing. Our aim is to make the process as stress-free and efficient as possible. All of our clients deal with a dedicated individual who will guide them through the process. 

Securing Your New Build Property

When purchasing a new build, the property is most likely to be “off plan” this means that the property you are purchasing is not yet built.

Once you have found the right property and you have a mortgage offer in principle, then its time to reserve the property.

Before securing a new build property, you should ask the developer to see the estate plans and specifications for the specific plot. You must ask the developer what’s included in the price, such as options to choose fittings and appliances at no extra charge. Also check if any financial incentives are on offer to you. Such as legal fees paid, stamp duty paid, gifted deposit, or mortgage payments paid. 

You are required to pay a reservation fee when you make an offer on a new build property, at which point the sale will be agreed. The reservation fee can be anything from £500 to £2000 and this will be deducted from the final purchase price upon completion.

After paying the reservation fee for a new build property, you should receive a written agreement that sets out: 

  1. The amount of the fee
  2. The purchase price
  3. What you are buying
  4. When the reservation agreement will end
  5. Any Service charge or maintenance charge payable
  6. Terms and conditions

What Happens Once You Reserve a New Build Property?

Typically, you have six weeks to exchange contracts on a new build property. If you are unable to meet these deadlines, then the developer can pull out of your deal. Should this happen, it will mean that you lose both your reservation fee and the property. Therefore, you need to act quickly to ensure both you and the developer are legally bound to proceed with the transaction within the timeframe. As soon as you have reserved a new build property, you should instruct a conveyancing solicitor to undertake the transaction for you. 

Key Aspects of a Title check for a New Build Property

Once you have instructed a member of our experienced team, they will make contact with the developers’ solicitors on your behalf and request a copy of the draft contracts and title documents.

Once the contracts have been received your conveyancer will:

  1. Provide you with a copy of the plot plan for you to confirm the plan reflects the extent of what you believe you are buying.
  2. Once confirmed we will request the property searches for you (Local Search, Groundsure Avista, Drainage, and water search)

We will then go over the title documents to: 

  1. Ensure that the relevant planning permissions have been granted and that any conditions either have already been, or will be, complied with at the various stages of the development.
  2. Make sure the developer has obtained building regulations consent and that any conditions have been complied with, or will be.
  3. Review the TP1 or Lease is checked for any restrictive covenants which prohibit you from making certain alterations to the property.  
  4. Establish if the property is freehold or leasehold.
  5. Ensure the Transfer/Lease includes the relevant rights required to access the property and estate until the time of legal adoption.
  6. Check the rights reserved and any restrictions and stipulations in the TP1.
  7. Reviewing the legal title. We will check to see if the developer has or will enter into a Highways Act 1980 Section 38 Agreement and bond. This is where the developer agrees with the council that the Estate Road will be built to an adoptable standard. The Transfer will also need to include the relevant rights of way over the Estate roads up until the time of legal adoption.
  8. Ensure that there is a suitable section 104 agreement and bond has been entered into with the water authority.
  9. Check to make sure the property will have a suitable new home warranty.
  10. Make sure that the contract is in your favour and that your deposit is suitably protected

When Will Completion of a New Build Property Take Place?

Often with a new build Property, you will be expected to exchange contracts within the reservation period and completion will then be on notice. Notice is normally served when the property is structurally complete, and completion is then carried out within 10 working days of receipt of the notice.

Please note that, unless the property is complete at the point of exchange, you cannot set an exact completion date. The challenge with this is the completion date is only estimate which means there is a possibility your mortgage offer may expire before the completion date. 

New Build Property Longstop Date/Termination Period

The developer will offer a longstop date or termination period within the contract. A longstop date is the date that the developer has set for the property to be completed by. If the long stop date is not fulfilled by the developer and the contract has been exchanged, you have the right to rescind the contract and are entitled to receive your deposit back. 

Do I Need a Survey on a New Build Property

The type if survey required for a new build Property differs from a second-hand property. A snagging survey is recommended on a new build Property, and this is completed by a professional surveyor. The snagging survey is a detailed inspection of the property, reviewing the condition, building materials and quality of building work. 

What is Unique About the New Build Conveyancing Process

New build conveyancing is more complex than your normal residential conveyancing. This is due to there being a higher number of risks of things going wrong. 

For example:

  1. Failure to arrange a NHBC inspection or suitable New Homes Warranty.
  2. Non-compliance with planning regulations.
  3. Failure to complete Section 38 and 104 agreements for the roads and sewers.
  4. Properties not being built in accordance with the original plans.

Therefore, it is extremely important to instruct a conveyancer who is experienced in handling new build conveyancing. That’s where our team can help.

Section 104 Agreement for a New Build Property

As part of the Water Industry Act 1991, A section 104 agreement is between a developer and the water company. The developer agrees to construct the drains and sewers to adoption standard so that in due course these will become maintainable at public expense. The drains/sewers will be repaired and maintained by the developer until such time as they are adopted by the water Authority. 

Section 38 Agreement on a New Build Property

A section 38 agreement is where the local authority enters into a legal agreement with the developer to adopt a highway, provided the highway has been constructed to a specified standard and to the satisfaction of the local authority. 

The Importance of a Section 38 and Section 104 Agreement

We ensure that the legal documentation states that the developer remains liable for the maintenance and repair of the roads and sewers until such time as they are adopted. I.e. when the development is complete. The benefit of this agreement is that it ensures that the developer remains liable until such time as legal adoption occurs. Meaning that you, as the homeowner, are not responsible for the roads and sewage systems serving the property. 

Section 106 Agreement on a New Build Property

A section 106 agreement is generally used by the local authority to ensure that developers include infrastructure improvements that will benefit the whole community. On large developments, such agreements can be long and complex. They can involve provisions of services by the developer running to many hundreds of thousands of pounds. On a small, local development, the agreement may simply require the payment of a modest sum by the developer on commencement of the development. Often, S106 Agreements are used to ensure a certain amount of social housing is provided by the developer. Such agreements are a pre-condition to securing the planning permission. 

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

This is a local tax, based on the size and type of new build property development. It is charged on new developments in the area to assist in financing infrastructure to increase housing supply and is a charge on new buildings and extensions to help pay for supporting infrastructure. The money is paid by landowners and developers to the local council and can then be used by the council for Infrastructure, like new or safer road schemes, par improvements or a new health centre. 

New Build Warranties

A building, or structural warranty, is an insurance policy provided on a new build property. The warranty is taken out by the developer but is in place to protect you (as the buyer) and your mortgage lender. Most warranties typically cover you for defects that arise due to faults in the design, workmanship or materials that remain undiscovered at the time of completion. 

There are three well known providers of new home warranties:

  1. National House Building Council (NHBC)
  2. Local Authority Building control warranty (LABC)
  3. Premier Guarantee.

NHBC is the most common on the new build market.

New build warranties typically last for 10 years but this can be increased to 12 years in certain cases.

What do New Build Warranties Cover?

Once the property is built, the warranty is split into two periods:

  1. The defects period which covers the first two years, and
  2. The structural period which is for 10 years when you complete on your purchase.

Defect Period

During the first two years in the home, if there are any issues with the work the builder has undertaken on a new build property, then the builder is responsible. I.e. The heating is not working because the pipes are faulty, or the windows are not sealed correctly. 

Structural Period

During the period of 3-10 years, the builder is only responsible for major problems relating to the structure of the house. This includes foundations, the external render, rooves, ceilings, chimney, and load-bearing parts of the floors.

Smaller defects are your own responsibility. This includes non-structural defects such as problems with your gutters or fixtures and fittings. 

What do New Home Warranties not cover?

Natural wear and tear on a new build property are not covered. Neither is weather damage or problems resulting from you not maintaining the property adequately.  

Damp and condensation may be covered, but only if they occurred as a result of the builder’s failure to comply with the warranty provider’s standards.

Contact one of our specialist residential property experts for further advice on how we can help you by completing our online form or call us on 0113 320 5000.

Client feedback

I would definitely highly recommend the efficiency & good communication thry have & have had several properties successfully completed with
Mr H
Excellent local solicitors would recommend. You can call in the office car parking available and receptionists very helpful if you need help. Dealt with them before, excellent.
Ian
Winston Solicitors was recommended to me, as this was my first time buying a house and didn’t know what to expect. They made the process very easy and I did not have to worry about any of the process as I got to track it every step of the way. Samantha also kept me updated and any queries were replied to promptly. I will definitely be using again in the future and recommend everyone I know.
Mr Michel
I can’t speak highly enough of Sidraa at Winston Solicitors for her exceptional support throughout my house purchase. From start to finish, she has been absolutely brilliant. Her prompt responses, attention to detail, and professionalism made a stressful process feel manageable and smooth. This is actually the second time I’ve used Winston Solicitors, and once again, they have been great. Consistent, reliable, and professional and Sidraa in particular truly went above and beyond. She was always kind, polite, and incredibly approachable, nothing ever felt like too much trouble. Even when dealing with a particularly difficult chain and the added pressure of a new stamp duty deadline, she worked tirelessly to get everything done on time. She responded to queries even out of hours, always called back when she said she would, and genuinely made me feel like a priority. What really stood out to me was her dedication — despite having preplanned annual leave for Eid, she still tried to keep things moving, which shows how committed she is to her clients. Her communication was clear and consistent, and she made a complex process feel a lot less daunting. I felt fully supported and in safe hands throughout. If you're looking for a solicitor who is professional, caring, and truly exceptional at what she does, Sidraa at Winston Solicitors is the one to go to. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she did and wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again or recommend her to others. - April 2025
I Younas, Leeds
I would really like to thank both Amr and his assistant Joe. Throughout the whole process they kept me informed, nothing was ever too much. I am a first time buyer, this was a very stressful time but both members of staff made me feel at ease that it would get sorted. Thank you so much both!
Y Hinton, Leeds
Leasa and Julie were fantastic at helping us buy and sell our house. They were punctual, and kept us up to date with what was going on. Their online platform was clear to follow. Leasa's email response time was rapid, this was incredibly valuable. - March 2025
J Salthouse, Leeds
Superb service from a knowledgeable and professional team.The sale of my property was as far from straight forward as you could get, yet they handled everything perfectly. This made the process less stressful as i had the confidence in them to get it sorted!
Amy
2nd time using Winstons. 1st time was for a purchase and 2nd time was for a Sale. Sidra and Tom kept me updated at each stage of the process. We're very prompt in their responses and completed both times in a timely manner. Would highly recommend for conveyancing services
Farhana
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