Award-winning conveyancing from a team that works only on new build. Winner of Best New Build Sales Progression Team at The Conveyancing Awards 2026.
Buying a new build home means buying a property directly from a developer or housing association, often before it has been finished. It is an exciting way to buy, but the legal side is different from buying an existing home. There is no previous owner, the property may still be under construction, and the developer will usually set strict deadlines for exchanging contracts.
New build conveyancing covers everything needed to make your purchase legally safe: checking the developer's contract and title, reviewing the estate plans, roads, drains and management arrangements, dealing with your lender, and making sure the protections you are entitled to are in place before you commit.
At RG Law, our goal is simple: to get you into your new home as quickly and smoothly as possible, without you ever feeling like just another file. We balance the pace developers expect with the time and support you need to understand every stage of your purchase.
We have a team dedicated solely to new build transactions, and we genuinely love the fast pace of this work. We live and breathe new build conveyancing, so we understand developer requirements, know the documents inside out and can handle the challenges that are unique to buying a new home. Our commitment to achieving a 28-day exchange, combined with a highly attentive approach, is what sets us apart.
Our team is led by Holly Meek, Associate & New Build Supervisor, with New Build Case Managers Laura Wiseman and Georgia Loch, and New Build Legal Assistant Will Turnbull.
We challenge the idea that conveyancing is impersonal. From your first welcome call to the day you collect your keys, you will have people who know your name, your circumstances and your plans for your new home.
Our relationship does not end on completion day. We like to pick up the phone once you have moved in to see how you are settling in. Our aim is that when you move again, or when friends and family ask for a recommendation, RG Law is the first name that comes to mind.
How We Look After You
Buying a home is one of the biggest and most emotional purchases you will make, so we never want you to feel like just another number on a developer's sales list. We take the time to get to know you, whether that is understanding your circumstances or asking where the Christmas tree will go in your new living room.
Communication that suits you: some clients like regular conversations, others prefer detailed emails they can read in their own time. We ask how you would like to hear from us at the start, and we stick to it.
Calls at a time that works for you: our call booking system lets you schedule a call with your case manager, including a regular weekly slot, and tell us in advance what you would like to discuss. Your case manager prepares beforehand, so every call is focused and useful.
Updates written by people, not systems: many firms rely on automated portal messages and texts. We write thoughtful, detailed updates explaining what we are working on, what happens next and how long it is likely to take. If we can see a delay coming, we tell you early.
Everyone kept in the loop: if something happens on your file, everyone involved should know about it. We keep you, your broker, the sales team and the developer's solicitor working from the same information, which keeps your purchase moving and means you never have to chase us for an update.
Pressure handled for you: developer sales teams often work to strict targets. We encourage you to direct any exchange deadline pressure to us, so you can stay focused on the excitement of buying your new home.
Holly Meek, Associate & New Build Supervisor
My philosophy is that if something happens on a file, everyone involved should know about it. Keeping all parties informed helps to maintain momentum, prevents misunderstandings and means our clients never have to chase us for an update.
A new build home comes with its own set of legal questions. As part of our investigations, we check and explain:
Estate roads: whether the roads on the development are due to be adopted by the local authority under a Section 38 Agreement, or will remain private, and who maintains them until then.
Drainage and sewers: whether foul water, surface water and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are due to be adopted by the water authority under a Section 104 Agreement, and who is responsible for them in the meantime.
Shared and communal areas: why shared access roads or visitor parking can sit within your property's boundary while still being used by other residents, and what that means for maintenance.
Service charges and management companies: how your contribution is calculated, whether it can change, and whether a reserve fund is being built up for future works. For leasehold properties, we also explain how service charges, major works and Section 20 consultation work.
Build delays and deadlines: the longstop date in your contract, your rights if the property is not finished in time, and the risk of your mortgage offer expiring before completion.
Because we have often acted on many plots within the same development, we can bring site-specific knowledge to your purchase that general guidance simply cannot.
Mortgages, Shared Ownership and Funding Your Purchase
Most new build purchases are funded with a mortgage, and many of our clients are first-time buyers. We work closely with your mortgage broker and lender throughout the transaction, keeping everyone informed so that nothing holds up your exchange.
New builds bring particular funding considerations. Construction delays can mean your mortgage offer approaches its expiry date before the property is ready, so we will flag this early and encourage you to speak to your broker before the offer lapses. We will also explain what happens to your deposit and your rights under the contract if completion is delayed.
If you are buying through shared ownership, where you buy a share of your home and pay rent on the remainder to a housing association, we will explain your lease, rent and service charge, and your rights to buy further shares in the future. We have worked with many of the same developers and housing associations for a number of years, so we know their processes well.
What happens if construction is delayed and my mortgage offer expires?
If construction is delayed, contact your mortgage broker or lender as soon as possible to discuss extending your offer or making a new application. Do not wait until the offer has expired, as it is your responsibility to make sure it does not lapse. An expired mortgage offer does not give you the right to withdraw once contracts have been exchanged. Most new build contracts include a longstop date, the date by which the developer must complete. If the property is not ready by then, you will usually have the right to end the contract and recover your deposit, subject to the contract terms. We explain these provisions in your report and again before exchange.
I am renting and my completion date is "on notice". When should I give notice on my tenancy?
It is common for new builds to complete on notice, meaning there is no fixed completion date until the developer confirms the property is ready. We generally recommend that you do not give notice on your tenancy until contracts have been exchanged and the developer has indicated completion is imminent. Giving notice too early could leave you without somewhere to live if construction is delayed. We are happy to talk through your circumstances and likely timescales.
Will the roads on my development be adopted by the local authority?
On many developments, roads are private and maintained by the developer during construction. Developers often enter into a Section 38 Agreement with the highway authority so the roads can be adopted once they are built to the required standard, after which the local authority maintains them. Until then, maintenance usually sits with the developer or a management company. We check whether an adoption agreement is in place and advise you on the position. Adoption can take a considerable time after homes are occupied, and there is no guarantee of when it will happen.
How is my service charge calculated, and can it change?
The management company usually prepares an annual budget for maintaining the communal areas, and each property is allocated a contribution. The legal documents often require a "fair and reasonable" proportion rather than a fixed amount, so contributions can change over time if costs change or the management company reasonably decides on a different split. Please factor the service charge into your budget when deciding whether a property is affordable.
Can my conveyancer deal with snagging issues for me?
Snagging is a construction or quality matter rather than a legal one, so it is usually dealt with directly with the developer's customer care team, and you may wish to instruct a professional snagging surveyor. We can advise on your contractual rights and warranty provisions, and can raise significant concerns with the developer's solicitor before completion. If a developer is refusing to fix defects, please let us know and we will advise on your options.
How will you keep me updated on my purchase?
We review every file weekly and update you proactively on what we are working on, what happens next and the expected timescales, so you should never need to chase us. At the start we ask how you prefer to communicate, by phone or detailed email, and you can book calls with your case manager at a time that suits you, adding a note of what you want to discuss so they can prepare. If we anticipate a delay, we will tell you as early as possible.
Developments We Act On
Our New Build team acts for buyers on developments of every kind, from historic conversions to modern apartments. That includes heritage buildings, complex leasehold developments, new modern schemes, and properties affected by evolving regulations. Having acted on many plots within the same developments, we bring site-specific knowledge that makes your purchase smoother.
If you are buying a new build home, speak to our award-winning team today for a personal, proactive service and a commitment to a 28-day exchange.
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