A Practical Guide to New Build Conveyancing (2nd edition)

Like many other property practitioners, I groan when I know that a client is buying a new build property, especially on a small development. It is not that I do not understand any of it, but rather because I am outfaced by the sheer volume of documentation that comes my way. No new build is straightforward anymore; there does not seem to be any such thing as a basic transaction.

The way to approach it, as with anything in conveyancing, is to break it down into manageable chunks, and to have a system. This book offers you an opportunity to do just that.

I wish I had had this book when I was learning new build, instead of a grumpy partner shouting ‘section 104 of the Water Industry Act’ at me, as if that was helpful.  

While we all understand how to check a title, conveyancers are not, for the most part, planning lawyers. But we have to understand the system and how that applies to the houses that we are buying for people. This book does that succinctly and in easy-to-understand language. It deals with road adoption, section 106 agreements, planning conditions, build warranties, water service adoption, community infrastructure levy contributions and a host of other planning matters. And it does not just tell you what it is – it tells you what to do about it.

The section on new home warranties is comprehensive and has really helped me to understand the different offerings out there (including the Professional Consultants Certificate, and when it is good enough and when it is not).

I love the story-telling approach that the writers take. If I had a gripe, it would be that there are quite a lot of typos in the copy, though these did not detract from the book’s usefulness.

It is a comprehensive work in a small package.

Anna Newport is a solicitor and director at Newport Land & Law, West Yorkshire