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Employing a Solicitor

The legal process for buying land is generally a great deal less involved than buying property, so most experienced solicitors will be competent in dealing with your purchase. Provided you explain the full purpose behind acquiring the plot, your solicitor will be able to offer you good sound advice. Always take heed of any concerns expressed and accede to any recommended investigations. When deciding which solicitor to employ, consider the following:

• The best are not always the cheapest and, if speed and efficiency are important, you may have to pay a little more to beat other self-builders competing for the plot.
• Your solicitor can only provide answers if you ask the questions. Use their expertise and knowledge to become fully acquainted with the land and any implied liabilities, particularly those governing boundaries, footpaths, access, easements and the rights of neighbouring landowners.
• Confirm that all routes for gaining information about ground conditions are fully explored, including any appropriate searches, for example for existing or prior mining that could affect the stability of the land.
• Where possible, employ a solicitor used and recommended by another self-builder.
• Use a solicitor within your own local area. There will be occasions when talking to them direct or visiting their office at short notice will benefit you.
• Your solicitor is unlikely to attend the site in person so they will have to rely on you and existing plans to visualise the scope, shape and condition of the land.
• Photographs will greatly assist them, so make these available at the earliest opportunity. If you have internet access, find out whether an aerial photo of the plot exists by visiting www2.getmapping.com
• Once your solicitor is in possession of legal documents relating to the site, check that what is described actually exists. For example, is the shape consistent with the plan, and do measurements correspond with actual boundaries?
• Ask your solicitor to find out whether VAT is to be charged by the vendor. It is important that you inform the landowner, prior to purchase, that you intend building a residential dwelling on it. If you do so, VAT should not be charged. If you fail to inform the vendor of your intentions, you may be charged VAT and, once paid, it cannot be reclaimed.
• Proceed to purchase only once you and your solicitor are entirely satisfied that everything is in order and confirmation is received that the land can be developed for residential use.