Property Conveyancing
New build property conveyancing
Buying a new build property is an exciting prospect, but you need to beware of the pitfalls. Our conveyancing experts will help make it stress-free experience.
112
years of service
30
experienced partners
400+
advisers and growing
Get the keys to your new build home with help from our experts
Expert guidance through a more complex buying process
A new build property offers you the opportunity to start with a blank canvas and customise your new home the way you want it. Whether you’re buying a leasehold or freehold property, the process can be more complex than for an existing property, so it’s important to have an expert legal team by your side to guide you through each stage of the purchase.
What is a new build property?
New build properties are those owned by a builder or developer. They may have been occupied or rented before but have usually been built within the last two years. They may have just been completed but often they are bought “off plan” which means they are still under construction or the building process has yet to begin.
"Very informative all the time, clear instructions and a very fast result. A pleasure to work with. Highly recommend."
Be aware of what you’re buying
When you buy a property “off plan” or under construction, you may be shown marketing materials that don’t always reflect what you’ll be getting. Sometimes the fixtures will be different or even the location of the property on a development may differ. You should be sure of what is included in the cost, and that what you expect is not charged for as an extra further down the line.
How the process works for buying a new build property
- Once you’ve decided on a property, the builder or developer will charge you a reservation fee to be deducted from your final payment. It’s important to be aware of any terms for getting this fee returned if the purchase doesn’t go ahead.
- You will also be given an exchange deadline which is often within a tight timeframe, so it’s important that you liaise closely with your legal team to get things moving quickly. Failure to meet the deadline could mean you miss out on the property.
- With properties under construction, you will get an estimated date for completion rather than a fixed date. If the build is delayed beyond reason, your conveyancer must ensure there is a termination deadline by which your reservation fee and deposit are returned.
Key considerations when buying a new build
Maintenance charges
If your new build is part of a larger development which shares common areas such as play areas, green areas or private roads, then maintenance costs will be payable annually by property owners on the development. It’s important to be aware of these charges before
you buy, and to check on the terms for annual increases in these costs.
Structural warranty
New build properties come with warranties to ensure the quality of the build. You must ensure this is in place before you buy and that your mortgage lender is happy with the terms of the warranty.
Quality conveyancing services at all times
We maintain close relationships with local estate agents, surveyors and other professionals to help the process run smoothly. Our lawyers are members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and will cover every detail from land search to surveys, checking every detail of your contract.
The legal services we can help with for you new build purchase include:
- Ensuring terms of your reservation fee are fair
- Going through documentation including planning, regulatory issues and infrastructure
- Making you aware of what’s included in the final price
- Advice on stamp duty for extra fixtures
- Ensuring your mortgage offer is valid in the event of delays
Legal and financial advice under one roof
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering joined-up legal and financial services. We have our own independent financial advisers (IFAs), who work closely with our lawyers.
Our advisers provide holistic financial planning, and as we are not connected to any one provider, we can offer a whole-of-market approach for the range of products we can advise on. We can also give independent advice for a whole range of insurance products to protect you and your family. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we’re accountable for the advice we give.
Get in touch today, we’re here to help
Our clients range from high-net-worth individuals with complex finances to those with more straightforward needs. We also specialise in the agricultural sector, having a sound understanding of the relationship between business and personal needs.
Featured articles
Key people
Get in touch
Please complete this form and one of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Phone
Email
Office Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Send us an enquiry
Fill in the form below and one of our equine law specialists will get back to you.
By submitting this form, you agree to our privacy policy and consent to being contacted about your enquiry. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
What our clients say
★★★★★
“I have just used Marie Rodger’s for conveyancing and found her and the team to be excellent they kept me in the loop 100% and completed the sale with Sympathy and expertise. Thank you Marie and your team, I will recommend you.”
Moira
Divorce & Financial Settlement
★★★★★
“We received an excellent conveyancing service with everything prompt and efficiently done on reasonable terms. Fee options (fixed or estimated) were clearly explained by Tees at the outset. We’d have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Tees for a property sale or purchase with particular mention to Kitsten”
Gary Shaw
Child Arrangements
★★★★★
“As a first-time buyer, the process of purchasing my home was full of ups and downs… but having Tees Law by my side made all the difference. I couldn’t have asked for better support. I would highly recommend Tees for anyone looking for a reliable and dedicated residential lawyer!”
Hannah Augood-Rason
Prenuptial Agreement
Featured insights
Buying a property in Cambridge, things you may not know
If you’re thinking about buying a property in Cambridge, it’s important to get to know the local area. Although the
Can I occupy my new house before the completion date?
In most residential conveyancing transactions, the buyer will not expect to take up occupation of the property they are buying
Government homebuying reforms- what buyers and sellers need to know
The UK government has unveiled major reforms to overhaul the homebuying process. Centred on digitalisation, upfront information and stronger industry
10 things to know about living in a conservation area
We are very fortunate in Cambridge to deal with some gorgeous properties, from Georgian townhouses in prime city locations to
You might also need
Remortgaging your home
Remortgaging your home can give you the flexibility to find a better mortgage rate, spend money on home improvements or consolidate your finances.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership can be a great way to get onto the property ladder if you’re not able to buy a home outright.
Declaration of Trust
If you own a share in a house, a declaration of trust is a document that says how much you’ll get when it’s sold.
Transfer of Property Ownership
A transfer of equity is the legal process to change the ownership of a property by adding or removing one or more people to the legal register.
Frequently asked questions
-
–
-
–
-
–
-
–
