Buying land: a practical starting checklist

Start with the use you have in mind, then look for land that can support it. A low asking price or an attractive location does not establish that a site is suitable for a house, horses, storage or a business. Keep a written list of assumptions and turn each into a question.

Define what you need

• Record your preferred area, approximate size, access needs and intended use.
• Separate essential requirements from features you could change later.
• Allow for professional advice, surveys, searches and ongoing maintenance alongside the price.

Check the evidence

Ask the advertiser for a plan of the land offered, title information, access arrangements and the planning position. Use the appropriate land register and local planning authority. A description or photograph is not proof of ownership, an exact boundary or permission to develop.

View and instruct advisers

Arrange access before visiting. Take a surveyor or other specialist if the terrain, condition or proposed works need assessment. Ask a solicitor experienced in the relevant UK nation to review the title, rights, restrictions and contract before you commit.

Official sources and further reading

• HM Land Registry — England and Wales
• Registers of Scotland — property information
• nidirect — searching the Land Registry