Raising standards to protect homeowners
Vendors' solicitor guidelines
This section explains what you should do before and after exchange of contracts with the purchasers' solicitor.
If you have any questions on the warranty or the process please see Vendors' solicitor FAQs or call us on 0844 633 1000 and ask for 'Customer Services'.
Note that NHBC registered builders and developers are bound by the terms and conditions of the NHBC Rules.
What you should do before exchange of contracts
- Before exchange you should check that your client who will be offering the Buildmark cover is a current NHBC registered builder/developer. See Check the NHBC register. If they have left our register after the home has been registered for cover but before exchange of contracts we may not provide Buildmark cover.
- If the vendor of the property is not the same as shown on the Buildmark documents ensure that the vendor has our authority to sell the property on an 'unregistered vendor' basis. Please note in the case of an 'unregistered vendor' the deposit and any other payments received under the contract will not be protected by NHBC if the vendor becomes insolvent after exchange of contracts and before completion
- Follow the instructions in the Buildmark Offer and Acceptance pack which the builder/developer will have received when the plot was registered.
- Pass the pack of Buildmark documents and the cover note to the purchasers' conveyancer immediately. Failure to do this could delay the release of mortgage funds and completion. We do not permit a builder, developer or unregistered vendor to retain Buildmark documents after exchange of contracts, for any purpose.
If you have any queries regarding the above, please contact Customer Services on 0844 633 1000.
Contact us
0844 633 1000
Open: Mon - Fri 08:30 – 17:30
For general enquiries:
Ask for ‘Customer Services’,
email us or write to us
To discuss a claim:
Ask for ’Claims’,
email us or write to us