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An off-plan purchase (OP) is where we are offered some fully-designed and specified dwellings with no - or very little - choice over design or components. Essentially a finished product, there may be some choices over kitchen and bathroom fittings and some finishes such as paint colour. Not only do OP purchases offer little or no control over the design / specification, they usually aren't available for occupation for several months (i.e. while they are being built).

An off the shelf (OTS) purchase is when the Association buys some completed dwellings that are ready to let / sell. These may be new builds that have just completed, a refurbishment or rehabilitation of older buildings into new dwellings, or the purchase of second-hand street property. OTS purchasesoffer no control over the design / specification, but they are available for occupation very quickly.

Section 106 schemes offer varying degrees of control over design and components. They can range from negotiating a building contract for the identified plots with the developer, using the standard set of Employer's Requirements, like a package deal (uncommon) to an off-plan purchase (more common) or even an off-the-shelf arrangement (not common).