Stay Informed

Property Blog & Insights

Expert guides, market updates, and everything you need to know about buying a new-build home in the UK

All PostsBuying Guides47First-Time Buyers33Mortgages & Finance38Costs & Budgeting28Legal & Conveyancing30Snagging & Quality31Government Schemes30Location Guides25Homeownership27Sustainability & Energy20Design & Interiors20Market News25Investment25Developer News20

Government Schemes

Clear filter
Government Support for Over-55s Buying New Build HomesGovernment Schemes

Government Support for Over-55s Buying New Build Homes

A comprehensive guide to the government schemes, financial options, and housing programmes available to over-55s buying new build homes in the UK. Covers shared ownership for older buyers, the Older People's Shared Ownership scheme, downsizing incentives, retirement living developments, accessible and adapted new builds, equity release considerations, stamp duty rules when downsizing, and pension and savings planning for later-life home purchases.

23 February 2026Read more
Housing Association New Build Homes: How to ApplyGovernment Schemes

Housing Association New Build Homes: How to Apply

A complete guide to buying a new build home through a housing association in the UK. Covers shared ownership, affordable rent, social rent, and outright sale options, profiles major housing associations by region, explains the application process, eligibility and affordability assessments, property selection, the legal process, shared ownership staircasing, and the difference between housing register and direct application routes.

23 February 2026Read more
How Planning Policy Shapes Affordable New Build HousingGovernment Schemes

How Planning Policy Shapes Affordable New Build Housing

An in-depth guide to how UK planning policy shapes the supply and affordability of new build homes. Covers the National Planning Policy Framework, local plan affordable housing requirements, viability assessments, Section 106 vs Community Infrastructure Levy, types of affordable housing tenure, regional policy variations, and recent planning reforms affecting new build supply and prices.

23 February 2026Read more
Employer-Assisted Housing Schemes and New Build HomesGovernment Schemes

Employer-Assisted Housing Schemes and New Build Homes

A comprehensive guide to employer-assisted housing schemes in the UK and how they can help you buy a new build home. Covers deposit loans, salary sacrifice mortgages, key worker housing, major public sector schemes for NHS staff, military personnel, police and teachers, private sector examples, tax implications, and how to combine employer support with government schemes.

23 February 2026Read more
How to Check Which Government Schemes Apply to Your New BuildGovernment Schemes

How to Check Which Government Schemes Apply to Your New Build

A comprehensive step-by-step guide to determining which UK government housing schemes you qualify for when buying a new build home. Covers national and local schemes, income thresholds, property price caps, first-time buyer requirements, key worker eligibility, online checkers, and how to combine multiple schemes for maximum benefit.

23 February 2026Read more
Council-Led New Build Housing Programmes Across the UKGovernment Schemes

Council-Led New Build Housing Programmes Across the UK

Local councils across the UK are building new homes again at scale. From London boroughs to Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Leeds, discover how council-led programmes work, what types of homes are being built, and how to secure one.

23 February 2026Read more
Government Incentives for Sustainable New Build HomesGovernment Schemes

Government Incentives for Sustainable New Build Homes

From the Future Homes Standard to green mortgages and BUS grants, the UK government is reshaping new build housing around sustainability. Learn what incentives exist for buyers and developers, and how new regulations affect the homes being built in 2026.

23 February 2026Read more
Local Connection Criteria and New Build Scheme EligibilityGovernment Schemes

Local Connection Criteria and New Build Scheme Eligibility

Local connection requirements determine who can access affordable new build homes through government schemes. Understand how residency, employment, and family ties are assessed, how criteria vary by council, and what to do if you are refused.

23 February 2026Read more
Discount Market Sale Homes on New Build DevelopmentsGovernment Schemes

Discount Market Sale Homes on New Build Developments

Discount Market Sale (DMS) homes offer new builds at 20-30% below market value, secured through Section 106 planning agreements. Learn how DMS works, who qualifies, how it differs from First Homes, and how to find discounted properties near you.

23 February 2026Read more
Rent to Buy Schemes and New Build PropertiesGovernment Schemes

Rent to Buy Schemes and New Build Properties

Rent to Buy offers a unique route to homeownership by letting you rent a new build at a subsidised rate while saving for a deposit. Discover how these schemes work, who qualifies, and how to find Rent to Buy properties near you in 2026.

23 February 2026Read more
Government Energy Efficiency Grants for New Build HomesGovernment Schemes

Government Energy Efficiency Grants for New Build Homes

Explore the government grants available for energy efficiency in new build homes, from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Great British Insulation Scheme to heat pump incentives and solar panel support. Learn how the Future Homes Standard will transform new builds from 2025 onwards.

23 February 2026Read more
How Section 106 Affordable Housing Works on New Build SitesGovernment Schemes

How Section 106 Affordable Housing Works on New Build Sites

Section 106 agreements are the largest single source of affordable new build homes in England. Learn how these planning obligations work, what percentage of affordable housing developers must deliver, and how you can access Section 106 homes.

23 February 2026Read more

Property Assistant

Ask me anything