New-Build Homes for Sale in Highlands & Islands
Looking for a new-build home in Highlands & Islands? Land to Homes does not have any developments or homes on sale at the moment. What you can do is register interest. It is free, it commits you to nothing, and it helps us understand what buyers need when we plan new homes, so we can get in touch if suitable homes are brought forward.
Highlands & IslandsRegister your interest
Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
- Hear firstIf homes are released near you
- Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
- Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
New homes around Highlands & Islands
Our Highlands & Islands coverage takes in 6 towns and cities, centred on Inverness and including Kirkwall, Thurso and Fort William. Neighbouring areas we also cover include Moray, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire and Angus & Dundee.
When you register for Highlands & Islands, you can choose larger family homes, two- and three-bedroom family homes or homes for first-time buyers. Planning in Highlands & Islands follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.
Registering for Highlands & Islands is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
What you get in Highlands & Islands
Consumer protection explained
We explain the New Homes Quality Code and the New Homes Ombudsman Service in neutral terms, so you know what protections to look for when buying any new home.
New-build warranties explained
Most mortgage lenders expect a new home to carry a recognised structural warranty. We explain what warranties cover, and what they do not, in plain terms.
Your preferences shape our plans
Knowing what buyers want in an area helps us decide the mix of homes, from smaller starter homes to larger family houses, when we plan a site.
Rules for each nation
Buying is different in each nation, from missives in Scotland to Land Transaction Tax in Wales. We point you to the rules that apply where you want to live.
Rules that apply in Highlands & Islands
Scotland's buying process for new homes near Highlands & Islands runs through missives and settlement, with the title registered in the Land Register of Scotland. There is no Home Report on the first sale of a new home, so ask the developer about the warranty, specification and snagging arrangements. Affordable options include social rent from councils and housing associations and, in some cases, shared equity. Land to Homes invites you to register interest while its plans develop.
In Scotland, purchases are concluded through missives, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax applies, and title is registered with Registers of Scotland. A Home Report is not needed on the first sale of a new home. New homes need a building warrant and an accepted completion certificate, and the New Homes Quality Board framework covers Scotland.
| National planning policy | National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Development Plan (LDP) |
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) |
| Land registration | Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
New-Build Homes for Sale in Highlands & Islands: questions
What should I check before reserving a new-build home?
Check the specification and what is included, the tenure and any lease terms, estate or service charges for roads and open space, the warranty and who provides it, and the reservation terms. Ask whether the developer is registered with the New Homes Quality Board. Instruct your own solicitor early, and visit the site if you can.
What does the New Homes Ombudsman Service do?
It handles complaints from buyers of new homes built by developers registered with the New Homes Quality Board, once the developer's own complaints process has been used. It can direct a registered developer to put things right. Buyers should check whether a developer is registered before reserving, because the service only covers registered developers.
Is buying a new home different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Yes. In Scotland the purchase is concluded through missives exchanged between solicitors, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax applies, and a Home Report is not needed for the first sale of a newly built home. Wales has Land Transaction Tax, while England and Northern Ireland use Stamp Duty Land Tax. A solicitor in the relevant nation can explain the detail.
Can I buy a new home through shared ownership?
Shared ownership and other affordable home ownership routes are usually provided by housing associations and other registered providers, sometimes on homes built by developers. Eligibility and the share you can buy are set by the provider and the scheme rules, not by us. If affordable homes form part of a site we bring forward, we will tell you who to contact.
Can I register for new homes in Highlands & Islands?
Yes. Registering for Highlands & Islands is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Highlands & Islands, we will contact you.
Read more: New-Build Homes for Sale · Guide: Buying a new-build home: what to expect from reservation to keys