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NHBC certificates aren't worth the paper they're written on.
Also @ewanmac
This.
Having done remedial work on houses covered by nhbc certificates and subsequently felt guilty charging already upset home owners a small fortune to put right some seriously shoddy workmanship. I'd strongly recommend getting an independent surveyor to look things over.
I'm surprised that a financial advisor is offering advice on stuff like this. Did they come recommended by the developers?
Bobbo
1) Yes, you're right - the only real difference is what happens if one of you dies. If your wills both provide that the other would have your share of the house anyway then you might as well go with a joint tenancy. You can turn a joint tenancy into a 50:50 tenancy in common (severing the joint tenancy) by simply serving a notice on your co-owner. Unless you want to own the house in shares other than 50:50, or leave your share to someone else on your death, then there's really no reason not to go for a joint tenancy.
2) NHBC certificates aren't worth the paper they're written on. I'm acting for some clients at the moment who bought a house off-plan from a major UK house builder. It came with an NHBC certificate despite the fact that (amongst a long list of other faults) the builders had completely forgotten to install any of the cavity wall insulation, hadn't fitted cavity drip trays, one of the walls had to be completely rebuilt and the PV panels on the roof were fitted so badly they were dangerous. Oh, and most of the metal face plates on the ground floor plug sockets weren't earthed properly. It also wasn't built in accordance with the planning permission for the house, so needs an application for retrospective consent. None of which the NHBC inspector either noticed or considered an issue.
If the property isn't completed I'd suggest waiting until the builder gives you the notification of practical completion, and then getting a surveyor to come along, do a full survey, and produce a full snagging list and advise whether or not it has actually reached practical completion.
3) Dunno.