PLOTS: How to avoid common legal issues

Every self-build project will have to deal with legal issues at some point. The legal minefield extends from purchasing the plot right through to agreements to ensure services are connected, and most issues will need to be dealt with before a project can commence. This two-part guide will help you to avoid a dud plot (one which cannot be developed) and will potentially save you thousands by explaining how to deal with issues before they get a chance to derail your project.

In my opinion, land should only be purchased once planning consent is assured. By virtue of having to develop a design and ask for permission, anyone following this rule will become significantly invested in their project. Despite such commitment, it is vital that the legalities associated with land are fully considered before the plot is purchased. This will ensure the project isn’t legally flawed and to make sure the next steps taken are in the right direction.

When it comes to legal issues, you only have to Google ‘legal land disputes’ to scare yourself silly — there’s no end of tangles people find themselves in. However, the reality is that most issues are avoidable provided you employ the right advisors