Self build
Legal issues
A self build project involves a plethora of legal issues and should not be tackled without expert advice, so your first act should be to choose a solicitor who has a good understanding of the specific laws involved. However, don't keep yourself totally out of the loop as it is imperative you have a broad understanding of the issues that may arise.Evaluating a Plot
Your solicitor should take care to identify any ownership technicalities that could influence the value or desirability of the plot. These might include:- Covenants, in which the vendor attaches certain conditions to the sale of the land. A common covenant is the requirement that the buyer build a wall around parts of the property.
- Rights of way, whether for footpaths or access to other properties. These could affect the resale value of the property and your insurance costs.
- Plot access issues. You may need to drive across a neighbour's land to reach your plot, for example; will this be a problem?
Buying
Buying a plot of land for self build is little different to buying any other piece of land or property, although the process may be complicated by planning permission. To minimise the risks, self builders often set up contracts to buy that are conditional on getting planning permission. An alternative approach is to buy an 'option' in which the vendor agrees not to sell the plot to anyone else for a given period of time. During this time, you will be free to make as many planning applications as you wish; if you are unsuccessful, you will not be required to buy the land, but if you are successful you can go ahead and complete the purchase.page 1 2