Frequently asked questions

Three big differences. First, you are buying from a developer rather than a private seller, which means a reservation agreement, a fixed exchange deadline (typically 21 to 28 days), and a specific deposit structure. Second, you have access to incentives such as stamp duty contributions, legal fees paid, and furniture packs. Third, the property comes with a 10-year structural warranty (NHBC, Premier Guarantee or LABC) and a snagging window. The buying process is more structured, and the levers you can pull are different.

The reservation fee is a payment (typically £500 to £2,000) that takes the unit off the market while you exchange contracts. It is usually deducted from the purchase price on completion. Most reservation agreements are non-refundable if you withdraw, but refundable if the developer fails to meet contractual obligations. We read every clause before you sign.

Most developers require exchange within 21 to 28 days of reservation. This is tight, which is why we recommend having an Agreement in Principle in hand and a new-build specialist solicitor instructed before you reserve. Miss the deadline and you typically lose the reservation fee and the unit.

Off-plan means you are buying a property before construction is complete. The longstop date is the absolute final date by which the developer must hand over your home. If they miss it, you have the right to withdraw and recover your deposit. We make sure your contract includes a reasonable longstop (typically 18 to 24 months) before you exchange.

Within reasonable timelines, delays are common and your deposit stays in the deal. The protection is the longstop date. If the developer drifts past it, you can rescind the contract and recover the deposit. This is why the longstop clause matters more than almost any other line in the reservation agreement.

Snagging is the process of identifying defects in your new home and getting the developer to fix them. Most developers offer a defects period (commonly the first two years), and a professional snagging inspection in the first 14 to 28 days after completion is standard practice. Costs typically range from £300 to £600 and is money well spent. The earlier the list lands with the developer, the easier it is to get items addressed.

NHBC Buildmark (and equivalents like Premier Guarantee and LABC) is a 10-year structural warranty. Years 1 to 2 cover the developer's defects liability period; the developer is responsible for fixing snagging items. Years 3 to 10 cover major structural defects only (foundations, roof, load-bearing walls). It does not cover wear and tear, decorative finishes, or appliance faults.

The England Help to Buy equity loan closed to new applications in 2023. Live alternatives include Shared Ownership (part-buy, part-rent, typically with a 5% deposit on the share you buy), First Homes (30-50% discount on first-home purchases for eligible local buyers), and Deposit Unlock (a private-sector scheme that lets buyers purchase new-builds with a 5% deposit). Scotland and Wales have separate schemes with their own timelines.

Nothing to you. Our commission is paid by the developer on completion. The guidance, viewings, scheme advice, negotiation support, and aftercare are all included at no cost.

Estate agents typically represent sellers of resale homes. We work directly with developers across the UK, which gives our buyers priority launch access, early-bird incentives, and unit-level due diligence the public never sees. We also stay involved beyond reservation: through conveyancing, exchange, and completion.

No. There is no exclusivity, no sign-up fee, no commitment until you reserve a unit through us.

Of course. Our introductions are optional. We simply ask that your broker is comfortable with new-build stage payments and your solicitor has handled new-build conveyancing recently and can meet the developer's exchange deadline.

London is the focus. We also cover the commuter belt for clients moving out of central London, and we work with international buyers (UK and overseas) acquiring property in London. For international clients we have a Dubai desk and run remote viewings.

Send us an enquiry through any development page, our contact form, or a direct WhatsApp on +44 7445 280638. We aim to respond within one business hour. The first conversation is a discovery call: budget, timeline, intended use, deposit position. From there we shortlist developments that genuinely fit.

Minimum 5% with some lenders, 10 to 25% more typical. Off-plan purchases often require 10% at exchange with the balance on completion. Non-residents typically need 25 to 40%. Buy-to-let usually starts at 25%. Schemes such as Deposit Unlock and Shared Ownership can lower the entry point significantly.

An AIP is a lender's indicative confirmation of how much they will lend you, based on a soft credit search. A properly structured AIP is worth more than a price reduction to a developer, because it makes you a certainty buyer. We strongly recommend having one in hand before you view.

Some off-plan developments require phased deposits at construction milestones. Not every lender accepts this; some down-value off-plan units; some require specific warranty evidence. A new-build specialist broker will route you to lenders whose policies align with the developer's timeline.

Yes. There are products specifically designed for non-residents and expats, but they are not on the high street. Generalist brokers often quote residential rates that only apply to UK-domiciled borrowers. Our broker network surfaces products built for international buyers, with appropriate AML on overseas funds.

An FCA-regulated mortgage brokerage we partner with for new-build specialist advice. They are independent of Renowned Homes; the relationship is referral-based, not proprietary. Their fee arrangement is disclosed to you directly.

It depends on the price, whether you are a first-time buyer, whether this is an additional property, and whether you are a UK resident. Standard residential SDLT is banded; first-time buyers benefit from relief up to £425,000; additional property purchases attract a 3% surcharge; non-UK residents pay an extra 2% surcharge. See our stamp duty page for current rates and worked examples.

Only in specific cases (replacing a main residence within the relevant window, certain trust structures, mixed-use property). The 3% surcharge applies to most second-home and buy-to-let purchases and should be factored into your budget from the outset. A solicitor or tax adviser will confirm your position before you exchange.

Within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor submits the return and pays HMRC on your behalf, then bills you. SDLT is not financed; it must come from cash on completion, so factor it in alongside the deposit.

Yes, on selected developments. Discounts typically scale with volume (units bought in the same phase) and timing (early-stage launches versus completed stock). We negotiate at the unit level and at the bloc level depending on your strategy.

Some are; many are over-engineered marketing. A meaningful rental guarantee is short-term (12 to 24 months), backed by a known operator, capped at a realistic gross yield, and disclosed in the reservation pack. We screen these clause by clause and will tell you when a guarantee is more about closing the deal than protecting the investor.

Yes. Our developer relationships routinely include phases or units not listed publicly. Off-market access is one of the main reasons investor clients work with us.

Section 24 limits mortgage interest tax relief for individual landlords to a basic-rate tax credit, which can erode net returns for higher-rate taxpayers. Many investors now hold buy-to-let in a corporate structure (SPV) for that reason. This is a tax decision, not a property one; we introduce you to a tax adviser before you commit.

Yes. We run live remote viewings (HD video walkthroughs, real-time Q&A), and the entire transaction can be completed via solicitor power of attorney or electronic signature where the lender allows. Many of our international clients only visit the UK to collect keys.

Photo ID, proof of address (within 3 months), proof of funds (bank statements, sale contracts, gift letters with donor verification, dividend statements). Source-of-funds documentation is non-negotiable on UK property and starts at the reservation stage. We brief you fully before you commit time to the process.

Through an FX broker, not a high-street bank. We introduce you to FX partners who hold a forward rate (locking in today's rate for a deposit due in 30 to 90 days), which protects you from currency moves between exchange and completion. The saving on a £600,000 purchase can be in the tens of thousands.

We have a presence in Dubai dedicated to Middle East investors. Meetings can be arranged in person there or virtually, and we cover the GCC, India, and the wider international market from that base.

Most developers offer a defects period (commonly the first two years from completion) during which they fix items raised in writing. We recommend a professional snag inspection within the first 14 to 28 days after completion; the report goes to the developer and items are scheduled for rectification. Photographic evidence speeds resolution.

Years 1 to 2: developer-led defects liability period covering snagging, finishes, and any breach of NHBC requirements. Years 3 to 10: NHBC cover for major structural defects only (foundations, load-bearing walls, roof, weatherproofing, drainage). Anything cosmetic or wear-related sits with the homeowner.

Yes. We introduce you to lettings partners experienced with new-build stock and the specific developments we sell. Service charges, ground rent, lettable EPC standards, AST drafting, tenant referencing, and tax structuring are all addressed. The introduction is free.