Expert Legal Support for New Build Homes by TMT Legal Services

The dream of a newly built home is captivating: pristine, untouched, and perfectly tailored to your vision. However, the journey to owning a new build property comes with its own unique legal complexities that differ significantly from buying an older, pre-owned home. At TMT Legal Services, we specialise in navigating you through these complex steps, ensuring your new build purchase is as exciting and stress-free.
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From our strategically located offices in Hythe, Chandlers Ford, Horsham, and Southampton, our dedicated team of new build property lawyers offer tailored expertise for all types of new build property, including new build shared ownership. We understand the importance of developer contracts, precise timelines, and the need for thorough due diligence, providing you with peace of mind every step of the way.
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The Unique Landscape of New Build Purchases
Buying a new build can often mean purchasing 'off-plan' – committing to a property before it's physically complete. This requires a different approach to conveyancing, focusing on future obligations, potential delays, and ensuring the finished product matches your expectations. We have a specialist New Build Homes team at TMT Legal Services who are experienced at foreseeing and mitigating the specific challenges associated with new build transactions. The team also regularly deal with schemes such as: Help To Buy, Lifetime Isa's and Shared Ownership, as well as developer specific incentives.
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We provide comprehensive legal support for:

• Reviewing Complex Developer Contracts: New build contracts are often lengthy and drafted heavily in favour of the developer. Our lawyers meticulously review every clause, including 'completion on notice' provisions, ensuring you understand your obligations, rights, and any potential penalties. We negotiate favourable terms on your behalf and protecting your interests. 

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• Understanding Warranties and Guarantees: New build homes typically come with warranties like the NHBC Buildmark or similar schemes, covering structural defects for up to 10 years. We explain the scope of these warranties, what they cover, and your rights in case of defects or 'snagging' issues. We advise on independent snagging surveys and ensure any identified issues are addressed before completion. 

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• Navigating Planning Permissions and Building Regulations: We conduct thorough checks to confirm that all necessary planning permissions and building regulations have been met for your new home. This includes verifying compliance with local authority requirements and ensuring the property is built to the latest safety and energy efficiency standards.

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• Addressing Completion Delays and Long Stop Dates: Delays in new build construction are common. We help you understand the contractual provisions for delays, including 'long stop dates' which protect you if construction extends beyond a reasonable timeframe. Our proactive approach aims to minimise disruption and explore avenues for compensation where appropriate, particularly vital for those with strict moving timelines in areas such as Chandlers Ford or Horsham.

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• Leasehold vs. Freehold Considerations: While most new build houses are now sold as freehold, new build flats are almost always leasehold. We provide clear advice on the implications of leasehold ownership, including ground rent and service charges, ensuring transparency and addressing any concerns,  ensuring you fully grasp the long-term financial commitments.

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• Shared-Ownership (including Staircasing): Often the first rung of the property ladder for first time buyers, Shared Ownership allows the part-purchase and part-rent of a Property with deposits as low as 5% on the share you buy. You can then purchase more shares in your home over time until you own it 100%  – a process known as ‘staircasing’. The Rent will then decrease as you buy more shares. ​Shared Ownership is more complex than traditional residential property which is why it is important that you instruct a specialist team, like our New Build Homes Team here at TMT Legal Services, in this area. We work closely with many Housing Associations and they may also have tight deadlines, having a lawyer with knowledge of the process will help you meet that deadline.

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• ​Mortgage and Funding Aspects: New build properties can have specific mortgage requirements and timelines. We liaise closely with your mortgage lender to ensure your offer remains valid and funds are ready for the often time-sensitive completion of new build purchases. We ensure all financial aspects align with the developer's schedule.

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Why Choose TMT Legal Services for Your New Build?
Our commitment to providing exceptional legal service for new build purchases is rooted in our in-depth understanding of the market and our dedication to our clients across our service areas:
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• Specialised New Build Expertise: Our team regularly acts for buyers of new build properties, staying updated on the latest developer practices, regulations, and legal precedents. This focused expertise means you receive advice that is precise and relevant to your unique transaction, whether you're purchasing in the growing community of Chandlers Ford or a waterfront development in Southampton.

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• Proactive and Timely Communication: New build conveyancing often operates on tighter deadlines. We pride ourselves on proactive communication, keeping you informed at every critical juncture and working efficiently to meet exchange and completion dates. Our offices in Hythe, Chandlers Ford, Horsham, and Southampton ensure we're accessible when you need us.

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• Protecting Your Investment: From scrutinising contracts to advising on snagging and warranties, our primary goal is to safeguard your financial investment and ensure your new home meets the highest legal standards. We champion your best interests, offering robust protection for your future in a new build property.

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• Local Market Insight: Our presence in Hythe, Chandlers Ford, Horsham, and Southampton gives us invaluable local insight into new developments, local planning quirks, and specific regional market conditions. This local knowledge allows us to anticipate and address issues before they arise.

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• Seamless and Transparent Process: We understand that buying a new build should be an exciting time. We strive to make the legal process as transparent and easy to understand as possible, demystifying legal jargon and providing clear, actionable advice from your initial reservation fee to collecting the keys to your new home.​