Buying off-plan in the United Kingdom: what to check

Step 1: Who is selling: the company behind the project

Ask for the developer’s full legal name and registration number, not only the brand, and look the company up in the official register. The company that signs your contract should be the one that holds the land or the approvals.

What the rules and registers say

• Look up the developer company on Companies House: its officers, filed accounts, charges (secured lenders) and whether it is active. Many schemes are built by a company set up for that one site.Companies House (opened 14 November 2026)

In our data

19 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom name the developer by its legal company.

Examples

• Imperial Exchange: developer named as Seth Real Estate Limited 11564727
• 100 Avenue Road: developer named as Regal Avenue Road Limited 14355590
• City Walk: developer named as City Walk Land Ltd 12190613 Limited); Equityway Holdings Ltd 14516153 named in press as bringing the scheme forward

Step 2: The land and what you will own

Find out exactly what you are buying: freehold, leasehold or a right of use, who holds the title today and what charges sit on it. Ask for the official registry extract, not a copy prepared by the seller.

What the rules and registers say

• HM Land Registry holds the title register of the land: who owns it, whether it is freehold or leasehold, and mortgages or restrictions on it. A copy costs a small fee and can be ordered online.HM Land Registry: search property information (opened 14 November 2026)

In our data

23 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom describe the units as leasehold in the sources we read. 20 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom publish an address or location precise enough for a map pin.

Freehold and leasehold in off-plan property

Step 3: Permits and approvals

Ask for the permit number and date and confirm them with the authority that issued them. A company licence or a sales registration is not a building permit.

What the rules and registers say

• Planning applications, decisions and conditions are on the local council’s planning register; GOV.UK finds the right council from the postcode. Ask for the application number.GOV.UK: search a council’s register of planning decisions (opened 14 November 2026)

In our data

21 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom publish a permit or licence number.

Examples

• Imperial Exchange: permit or licence number Liverpool City Council 26F/1624 and 26/PCU/1639 published
• 100 Avenue Road: permit or licence number London Borough of Camden 2014/1617/P (appeal APP/X5210/W/14/3001616), varied by 2025/0852/P published
• City Walk: permit or licence number Liverpool City Council 23F/2052 published

Step 4: Where your money goes

Before each payment, know which account it goes to and what protects it if the project stops. Pay only into the account named in your contract, never into a personal account or a broker’s.

In our data

0 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom state how buyer payments are protected (escrow, bank guarantee or insurance).

Escrow and deposit protection in off-plan property · Payment plans and deposits in off-plan property

Step 5: Recording your purchase and the contract

Check how your purchase is recorded before completion and what the contract says about delays, changes and refunds. Have an independent local lawyer or notary read it before you sign.

What the rules and registers say

• An overseas company or other overseas entity that wants to buy, sell or transfer property or land in the UK must first register with Companies House and declare its registrable beneficial owners (Register of Overseas Entities, in force since 1 August 2022).GOV.UK (Companies House): Register an overseas entity, last updated 1 Feb 2026 (read 14 November 2026)
• In England and Northern Ireland, buyers who are not UK resident pay a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge on residential property (since 1 April 2021). An individual who meets the residence test within 12 months after the purchase may claim it back.GOV.UK (HMRC): Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax for non-UK residents, last updated 1 Apr 2025 (read 14 November 2026)

Step 6: Handover dates and progress on site

Compare the handover date you are promised with the record: earlier dates for this project and how the developer’s other projects went. Then check progress on site before each staged payment.

In our data

1 of 31 projects we track in the United Kingdom have a handover date on record that has passed; 3 had the date moved later.

Examples

• Boulevard (Phase 2, Blocks A1 to A6): handover date on record has passed; months since: 14
• Westminster Tower: handover date moved later; months added: 12
• Imperial Exchange: handover date on record Q4 2028, no change so far