Looking a buy a new build, small developer and just the one house. It is almost finished, and he says if we pay a deposit of 2% (£10k) we are then able to choose finishes, flooring, appliances etc. It would be paid directly to him. Solicitor says she sees similar buyers losing their deposits when developers (even big ones) feel the conveyancing is taking too long. Apparently there is no mechanism for the money to be held in escrow or similar. Seller says he will not set time limit and that we should have trust. However the trust seems to be somewhat one-sided ... he could walk away from the sale at any time. He says that if the sale falls through then he would refund the balance of the payment after deducting any goods he has purchased per our specifications - but then he will still have the goods ... and there is no legal requirement for him to do any of that. We do see his point of view of course, given that we wish to make changes to finishes he had chosen, but amazed there is no legal protection for us the buyers. Anyone had a similar dilemma?