Buying a home does not always follow a single route. Alongside traditional purchases, there are now several ways buyers can structure their move depending on their circumstances, budgets and long-term plans. This makes it possible to move sooner than expected or offer greater flexibility when planning a purchase. Understanding how these routes work helps buyers choose the approach that suits them best before the conveyancing process begins.
- Buying a Freehold Property
Freehold ownership is usually the most straightforward form of property ownership. When you buy a freehold property, you own both the building and the land it stands on. Many houses in England and Wales are sold on a freehold basis, and this type of ownership often gives buyers more control over how the property is used and maintained. There are still important legal checks to complete before contracts are exchanged.
During the conveyancing process, your solicitor will review:
- Property boundaries
- Rights of way affecting the land
- Restrictive covenants that may limit alterations
- Relevant planning history where needed
These checks help confirm that there are no unexpected restrictions attached to the property.
- Buying a Leasehold Property
Leasehold ownership is common with flats and some houses. Buying a leasehold, you purchase the right to occupy the property for a fixed number of years, while the land itself remains owned by a freeholder.
Because leasehold properties come with additional terms set out in the lease, it is important to understand how these affect your responsibilities and ongoing costs.
As part of the conveyancing process, your solicitor will review:
- The length of the remaining lease
- The clauses in the lease
- Ground rent arrangements (if any)
- Service charges
- Building Management responsibilities
- Any planned major works affecting the building (Section 20 Major Works)
These factors can influence both the ongoing cost of ownership and future resale considerations.
- Shared Ownership Purchases
Shared ownership schemes allow buyers to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining portion. This can provide an alternative route into home ownership for buyers who are not purchasing the full value of a property initially.
Shared ownership properties usually operate under a leasehold structure and include additional provisions that should be reviewed carefully.
Your conveyancer will explain:
- How the shared ownership lease works
- How “staircasing” allows you to increase your ownership over time
- Whether there are any restrictions when selling the property later
- What responsibilities site with the housing provider
Understanding these arrangements early helps ensure there are no unexpected conditions attached to the purchase.
- Using a Lifetime ISA (LISA)
A Lifetime ISA (LISA) can help eligible first-time buyers save towards a deposit. The government adds a 25% bonus to contributions, up to annual limits.
Usually:
- The buyer must be purchasing their first home
- The property must fall within scheme price limits
- The Lifetime ISA must have been open for at least 12 months
Your solicitor requests the funds from the provider during conveyancing so they are available for completion.
- The First Homes Scheme
The First Homes scheme allows eligible first-time buyers to purchase certain new-build properties at a discounted price. The discount normally remains attached to the property when it is sold in the future, which means resale conditions apply.
Your conveyancer will review:
- Eligibility requirements
- The discounted purchase terms
- Resale restrictions
- Mortgage lender requirements linked to the scheme
These checks help confirm how the scheme affects both the purchase and future ownership.
- Buying a New-Build Property
New-build homes may involve slightly different procedures than existing properties. Developers often work to fixed reservation timelines, and contracts may be issued at an earlier stage in the construction process.
For this reason, conveyancing for new-build properties usually includes additional checks such as:
- Planning permissions and building regulation approvals
- New-build warranty documentation
- Arrangement for common areas, roads and drainage on the development
- Developer contract terms and completion timelines
These steps help confirm that the property has been constructed and registered correctly before completion takes place.
- Buying With Someone Else
Many buyers purchase property jointly with a partner, family member or friend. It is important to decide how the property will be owned from a legal perspective.
There are two main options:
- Joint tenants, where both owners have equal rights to the whole property
- Tenants in common, where ownership shares can be divided in agreed proportions
Your conveyancer will explain how each structure works and ensure the arrangements reflect your intentions from the outset.
How Ownership Type Affects the Buying Process
Each type of purchase involves slightly different checks, documents and timelines. Understanding which structure applies to your property helps the conveyancing process move forward more efficiently once an offer is accepted.
Early legal advice can also highlight conditions attached to a property that may not be obvious during viewings or from sales details alone.
Planning Before You Buy
If you are considering a move in 2026, taking time to understand the different types of ownership available can make the process clearer from the start.
Whether you are purchasing a freehold house, a leasehold flat, a shared ownership property or a new-build home, early involvement from a conveyancing solicitor helps ensure that the legal position is properly reviewed before contracts are exchanged.
Having a clear understanding of your ownership structure from the outset allows you to proceed with confidence as your purchase progresses.
FAQs
Freehold ownership is usually simpler because you own the property and the land it stands on. Leasehold properties often involve service charges and lease terms, but they are very common, especially with flats.
It’s important to check the remaining lease length, service charges, ground rent and whether any major works are planned. Your conveyancer reviews these as part of the legal process.
Shared ownership allows you to purchase part of a property and pay rent on the rest. Many buyers use this option as a practical way to get onto the property ladder earlier.
Yes. New-build purchases often involve extra checks, including warranties, planning approvals and developer timelines.
It’s best to instruct a solicitor early, ideally before or shortly after making an offer, so that the legal process can begin without delay.
