EXPERTS
Agony agent Readers put their property questions to our guest panel of experts: solicitors, mortgage advisers, property gurus and shared ownership providers
THIS MONTH’S PANEL OF EXPERTS
Richard Taylor , Area Director, LSL Land & New Homes
Paula Higgins , CEO of HomeOwners Alliance and Property Commentator of the Year
New build home Q I am a first time buyer and I am starting to view some properties. If I buy a new build home, how can I be sure there’s no problems with it? Drew Cooper, Potters Bar A Buying a new home is a big undertaking and a significant investment for any buyer – especially if it’s your first. Just like making any large commitment, it’s only sensible to ask, “How do I protect myself from any hidden surprises?” The good news is that buying brand new gives you a key advantage – peace of mind – because it should come with an independent 10- year build warranty. That warranty won’t cover issues caused by everyday normal wear and tear, or by poor maintenance. However, it is there to protect you against build defects that arise from faulty materials or from bad workmanship. In other words, it’s designed to help guard you against the sort of problems you don’t want to discover once you’ve moved in and started life in your new place. The warranty starts on the day you take ownership of your home. It’s usually provided through a combination of the developer and a third-party warranty provider.The developer typically handles defects in the first two years under its Customer Care policy and its obligations under recognised industry commitments. After that, the warranty provider covers the remaining protection from years three to 10. If you ever decide to sell and move on, you’ll likely be pleased to know that any remaining warranty cover can often be transferable to the next owner.That’s a nice extra reassurance that your investment is backed up – not just for you, but for the future too. And if one of your goals is to enjoy an energy-efficient, easier-to-maintain home that could help reduce running costs compared with many older pre-owned properties, buying new is often the most straightforward route.The key is choosing the right builder. Make sure the developer has a recognised warranty in place, offers a clear Customer Care package for the first two years, and subscribes to an industry scheme such as the Consumer Code for Home Builders or the New Homes Quality Board. Get those boxes ticked, and you really are safe as houses.
Adam Crawford , Partner (CLC) – Housing, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
TEST THE PANEL
We need your questions... If you have any queries, or difficulties in understanding the property buying process, our panel of experts is waiting to help. Send our team your questions on buying property, shared ownership, legal issues, or your financial problems and we’ll find the best person from the panel to give the advice you need.
Email your questions to: lynda@ rsttimebuyermag.co.uk
Richard Taylor
122 First Time Buyer August/September 2026
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online