FAQs
Other useful terms
- Prevent a building safety risk happening. A building safety risk is defined as “spread of fire and/or structural failure”.
- Reduce the seriousness of an incident if one happens.
- Register existing buildings with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR);
- Register all new buildings before occupation.
- Prepare a building safety case report for the building.
- Apply for a building assessment certificate when directed to by the BSR.
Building Regulations (also known as Building Control)
Building regulations are a set of design rules and standards that all new buildings must meet. They include fire safety, structures, sound, ventilation, electrical safety, materials and workmanship. The Building Control Inspector is responsible for regular reviews during the build before the final Building Regulation Certificate is issued.
Building Safety Act
Passed in April 2022 following the Grenfell fire, the Act makes sweeping changes to law around the design and construction of all buildings, and particularly those over 18 meters or 7 stories (sometimes also referred to as Higher-Risk Buildings or HRBs).
Building Safety Case Report
The Building Safety Case Report is produced by the Accountable Person. It demonstrates how to manage the risk of fire and the structural safety of a building. The Building Safety Regulator can request sight of it at any time following the registration of the building.
Snagging
Snagging inspections are carried out on individual properties to check workmanship just before practical completion. A schedule of remaining works is presented to the contractor to make good.
De-snagging
A final check that the original snagging list of defects have been rectified and that nothing has been further damaged during the repairs.
Accountable Person (AP)
The Accountable Person is the person or organisation that is responsible for the building’s safety. This person or organisation must take all reasonable steps to:
Southern Housing is the named AP for all our buildings over 18M or 7 storeys.
Witness testing
Witness testing is typically conducted by qualified mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineers. They act as a neutral third party to ensure the M&E systems meet the specified design criteria, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
Key milestones explained
Building Warranty
An insurance policy issued by the warranty provider (NHBC, Premier, LABC, etc). It usually lasts for 10 years and protects homeowners and mortgage lenders from structural defects caused by design issues, faulty materials, or poor workmanship.
Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
This is a government agency that oversees building safety and helps ensure new regulations are followed, especially for high-rise buildings.
Practical Completion (PC)
This is when the building is finished and ready for occupation, unless the building is subject to building safety registration.
Internal handover
This is when the Construction team are happy the properties are ready for occupation and hand over the keys to the Sales team who then serve notice to buyers to complete.
Is the occupation date given a guaranteed date for move in?
We cannot guarantee this. We have provided this estimated month based on the information we receive from the developer. Occupation dates are always subject to change, we will keep you updated throughout.
My mortgage offer will expire, what should I do?
Please speak to your mortgage advisor who may be able to arrange an extension for you.
I’m currently in a rental property and need to give notice, when should I hand in my notice?
Please refrain from handing in your notice until we serve notice to complete.
What does 10 day notice to complete mean?
Upon us taking handover of the homes, we will serve you, via your solicitor, with notice to complete on your purchase. In line with your sales contract this means you will have 10 working days from the date notice is served to complete the sale and collect your keys to move into your home. You will need to be prepared for any overlap with your current tenancy, if applicable.
If you are concerned about your current tenancy crossing over, please discuss your specific situation with your Sales Progressor to explore if a potential extension on the notice period is possible. This will be assessed case by case, based on individual circumstances.
Does my home have a defects period?
Our new homes have a 12 month defects liability period, from the date Southern Housing takes handover from the building contractor. Depending on when you move into your home you may have full, partial, or none of the defects period on your property.
Will there be any snagging for my home?
A snagging inspection checks a new build home for minor defects or issues before or shortly after you move in, helping ensure everything meets expected standards.
The home you're buying will have been through a snagging and de-snagging procedure before you move in. Snagging is conducted by the Southern Housing development team and building contractor prior to handover. As you're buying the property from Southern Housing and not the builder directly, you'll be unable to conduct your own snagging inspection.
When will my rent and service charge start?
Upon completion, you'll be required to pay the remainder of the month you move in plus a full month rent and service charge, this will be confirmed to you by your solicitor when you set your completion date. The £500 reservation fee you paid to reserve your home will be deducted from the amount you pay on completion.
Will my rent and service charge increase?
Your rent will increase annually from 1 April, this increase will be outlined in your lease. If you complete your purchase on or before 30 September, your rent will increase the following April, however if your completion is after 30 September it won't increase until April the year after. For example, if you complete on 1 August 2026 your rent increase will be 1 April 2027, whereas if you complete on 1 October 2026, your rent won't increase until 1 April 2028. When you purchase a new home, the service charge is estimated for the first year, this is because no one’s lived in the property to have any accounts or costs to base the service charge budget on. From year 2 the service charge will be set in line with expenditure plus the administration charge which will increase in line with the terms of your lease. Ask your solicitor for more details on the service charge breakdown budget.
Can I decorate my Shared Ownership home?
Feel free to start researching this season’s colour schemes, as you can paint and decorate your Shared Ownership home as you wish. However, your Shared Ownership lease will have details about major alterations to the property, such as new flooring or structural changes, which you may need permission for before commencing work.
It’s also advised to not decorate new-build homes in the first year, as you may need to redecorate again once the building materials, such as timber and plaster, have had time to settle and dry out.
Can I make alterations to my Shared Ownership home?
Yes, but you need permission to make significant alterations to your home, with structural changes typically not allowed. Your lease will outline any restrictions on alterations. For more guidance, visit our leaseholder & homeowners page: Leaseholders & homeowners
What am I responsible for in a Shared Ownership home?
As a Shared Owner, you’re responsible for paying your mortgage, rent, utility bills, service charge and insurance payments. It’s also your responsibility to keep the property in good repair. You’ll need to seek permission before carrying out any structural changes. You’ll also be expected to allow us reasonable access to the property if we give advance notice. We’ll always clearly explain why we want access, so we won’t drop by unannounced – we’ll leave that to your family members. It’s also expected that you’ll not be involved in any anti-social behaviour at the property, and provide notice if you intend to sell your share in the home.