Urgent please - Appointment tomorrow

[Namechanged4dis]

What questions would you ask a developer if looking to buy a new build?
What would you want to know?

Thanks all

What is included as standard - some don't include the most basic things. You will be shocked at what some don't provide and try to charge you extra for

Will the council be adopting the road and green spaces?
Will there be any service charge?

Is it leasehold/ freehold
Any management fees
Restrictive covenants
The actual size of the garden as it's hard to determine from the site map

Responsibility for boundaries/fences
Location and direction of drainage
Parking restrictions if there's allocated/guest parking etc for the estate

Phases of the work

If leasehold ground rent and how it can be increased.

How much say can you have in decor?

If you are viewing ask for the sizes. Have a look at a single or double bed at house - how many steps (developers sometimes use small beds to make rooms appear like the accommodate a proper double.

Here are more ideas
www.livelyprofessionalservices.co.uk/30-questions-when-buying-a-new-build-home/

How close are the neighbours

@spooney21

Is it leasehold/ freehold Any management fees Restrictive covenants The actual size of the garden as it's hard to determine from the site map

I agree these are really important, together with how ground rent, if applicable, increases.

Is there any land next to the development. Do they own that / have any plans to extend the development and build on that land also?
Will everyone have parking spaces and are visitor parking places planned?
How long is the developer's warranty?

Thank you all, these are really useful.

Also, is it true that you have to exchange within 28 days of reserving?

The property is currently being built, so buying off plan if that makes any difference.

Can you convert the loft/ garage?
What is underneath the garden (see the recent thread on gardens being made on top of rubble).

Does the transfer of part include a rent charge?

What is the common area service charge fee?

If you wanted to add a conservatory or convert the garage, will you have to ask for consent and how
Much would that cost?

When will the roads be adopted? If never, what's the plan?

Where are the SUDS
Equipment kept? What's the cost and how split? Ensure none of that crap in your garden.

Do NOT use the developer's
Tame legal services - they are shite and they won't tell you about the real issues on the development.

Will you be able to become a member of a resident owned management company so you won't be beholden to a fucking professional freeholder/management company?

If so, who will the man co be?

@Namechanged4dis

Thank you all, these are really useful.

Also, is it true that you have to exchange within 28 days of reserving?

The property is currently being built, so buying off plan if that makes any difference.

Legally, I don’t think so. But it may be a requirement of the developer. Lots of developers sell properties off plan as they also rely on the deposit paid at exchange to help fund the development, so may require you to exchange quickly in order to get hold of your deposit.

Which raises another good question - sometimes, some developers will want another payment after exchange but before completion, which can be as high as the initial deposit. Something to look out for when you buy off plan but your solicitor should raise this.

What is the expected lifespan of the house.