Readers put their property questions to our guest panel of experts:
solicitors, mortgage advisers, property gurus and shared ownership providers
New build home
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
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.
Richard Taylor
What does freehold, leasehold and commonhold mean?
I’m looking to buy my first home and I keep seeing terms like freehold, leasehold and now commonhold. What do they actually mean, and which one is best? Jake Blackthorne, Basingstoke
This is a really common question, and it’s no surprise as the terminology can sound quite technical, but the basic idea is fairly straightforward once it’s broken down. At the simplest level, these terms describe how you legally own your home and what comes with that.
If you buy a freehold property, you own the building and the land it stands on outright. There’s no time limit on your ownership and no landlord involved. You’re responsible for maintaining the property yourself, but you also have full control over it (subject to normal planning laws). For most houses, this is the most common and typically the simplest form of ownership.
A leasehold property works differently. You own the property for a fixed period, often 99, 125 or even 999 years, but the land itself is owned by a freeholder (or landlord). As a leaseholder, you’ll usually need to pay ground rent (except on a brand new property) and service charges, particularly if you’re buying a flat. Service charges cover the cost of maintaining shared areas, such as shared roofs, roads, hallways, lifts and gardens etc. There will also be rules set out in the lease that you must follow. Leasehold ownership is the most common tenure for flats. The Government has recently introduced reforms aimed at making the system fairer and more transparent for homeowners.
The third option, commonhold, is still quite rare but forms part of the Government’s longer-term plan to move away from leasehold ownership, particularly for flats. It allows you to own your property outright while sharing responsibility for the building with other residents, removing the need for a landlord and any ongoing ground rent. Legislation to make this the default tenure for flats is currently progressing through Parliament.
Generally freehold is the “best” tenure, but in practice, it comes down to the type of property you’re buying:
For houses, the tenure is usually freehold
For flats, leasehold remains the most common tenure, although commonhold may become more widespread over time.
Importantly, your conveyancer will explain exactly how your property is owned and any costs or restrictions, so you can make an informed decision.
Adam Crawford
How much deposit do you need?
I am a first time buyer and I am hoping to buy a home very soon. But, how much deposit do first time buyers really need in 2026?
Millie Watson, Southampton
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
