diff --git a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
index 8cc98f480..16f571754 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Pages::AddressMatcher, type: :model do
   let(:page_id) { nil }
   let(:page_definition) { nil }
   let(:subsection) { instance_double(Form::Subsection) }
-  let(:log) { create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
   it "has correct subsection" do
     expect(page.subsection).to eq(subsection)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
index 5cbb08e93..a2e8086d0 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Pages::UprnSelection, type: :model do
   let(:page_id) { nil }
   let(:page_definition) { nil }
   let(:subsection) { instance_double(Form::Subsection) }
-  let(:log) { create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
   it "has correct subsection" do
     expect(page.subsection).to eq(subsection)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_spec.rb
index 089daf4bc..c41de5f6a 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/lettings/pages/uprn_spec.rb
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Pages::Uprn, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when log is present" do
-      let(:log) { create(:lettings_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
       context "with 2023/24 form" do
         it "points to address page" do
diff --git a/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/property_reference_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/property_reference_spec.rb
index 2f0c21b75..970bead96 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/property_reference_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/property_reference_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::PropertyReference, type: :model do
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page, subsection: instance_double(Form::Subsection, form: instance_double(Form, start_date: Time.zone.local(2023, 4, 1)))) }
-  let(:lettings_log) { FactoryBot.create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:lettings_log) { FactoryBot.build(:lettings_log) }
 
   it "has correct page" do
     expect(question.page).to eq(page)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
index ee0235c54..c0b6ef8a4 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/lettings/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
   describe "notification_banner" do
     context "when address is not present" do
       it "returns nil" do
-        log = create(:lettings_log)
+        log = build(:lettings_log)
 
         expect(question.notification_banner(log)).to be_nil
       end
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
 
     context "when address is present" do
       it "returns formatted value" do
-        log = create(:lettings_log, :setup_completed, address_line1: "1, Test Street", town_or_city: "Test Town", postcode_full: "AA1 1AA", uprn: "1", uprn_known: 1)
+        log = build(:lettings_log, :setup_completed, address_line1: "1, Test Street", town_or_city: "Test Town", postcode_full: "AA1 1AA", uprn: "1", uprn_known: 1)
 
         expect(question.notification_banner(log)).to eq(
           {
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
 
   describe "has the correct hidden_in_check_answers" do
     context "when uprn_known != 1 && uprn_confirmed == nil" do
-      let(:log) { create(:lettings_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
+      let(:log) { build(:lettings_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
 
       it "returns true" do
         expect(question.hidden_in_check_answers?(log)).to eq(true)
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn_known == 1 && uprn_confirmed == nil" do
-      let(:log) { create(:lettings_log, :completed, uprn_known: 1, uprn: 1, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
+      let(:log) { build(:lettings_log, :completed, uprn_known: 1, uprn: 1, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
 
       it "returns false" do
         expect(question.hidden_in_check_answers?(log)).to eq(false)
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Lettings::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn_known != 1 && uprn_confirmed == 1" do
-      let(:log) { create(:lettings_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
       it "returns true" do
         log.uprn_known = 1
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
index e2eea6fa0..6d6a4174f 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/address_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::AddressMatcher, type: :model do
   let(:page_id) { nil }
   let(:page_definition) { nil }
   let(:subsection) { instance_double(Form::Subsection) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
   it "has correct subsection" do
     expect(page.subsection).to eq(subsection)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
index a09cb2f08..bd52233b6 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
 
   describe "has correct routed_to?" do
     context "when uprn present && uprn_known == 1 " do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
       it "returns true" do
         log.uprn_known = 1
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn = nil" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log, uprn_known: 1, uprn: nil) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log, uprn_known: 1, uprn: nil) }
 
       it "returns false" do
         expect(page.routed_to?(log)).to eq(false)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn_known == 0" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn: "123456789") }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn: "123456789") }
 
       it "returns false" do
         expect(page.routed_to?(log)).to eq(false)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
index 6013774d3..2e3f3e8f6 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_selection_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::UprnSelection, type: :model do
   let(:page_id) { nil }
   let(:page_definition) { nil }
   let(:subsection) { instance_double(Form::Subsection) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
   it "has correct subsection" do
     expect(page.subsection).to eq(subsection)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_spec.rb
index ef1c9848f..8511af372 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/pages/uprn_spec.rb
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Pages::Uprn, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when log is present" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
       context "with 2023/24 form" do
         it "points to address page" do
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/address_line1_for_address_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/address_line1_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
index 213fddaf3..0272d1329 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/address_line1_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/address_line1_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::AddressLine1ForAddressMatcher, type: :mod
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
 
   it "has correct page" do
     expect(question.page).to eq(page)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer1_mortgage_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer1_mortgage_spec.rb
index 94d78eafa..a0790c7f8 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer1_mortgage_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer1_mortgage_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::Buyer1Mortgage, type: :model do
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page, subsection: instance_double(Form::Subsection, form: instance_double(Form, start_date: Time.zone.local(2023, 4, 1)))) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
   it "has correct page" do
     expect(question.page).to eq(page)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer2_mortgage_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer2_mortgage_spec.rb
index 6b297423c..d96f094e2 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer2_mortgage_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyer2_mortgage_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::Buyer2Mortgage, type: :model do
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page, subsection: instance_double(Form::Subsection, form: instance_double(Form, start_date: Time.zone.local(2023, 4, 1)))) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
   it "has correct page" do
     expect(question.page).to eq(page)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyers_organisations_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyers_organisations_spec.rb
index 0c28cff6f..c997c5883 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyers_organisations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/buyers_organisations_spec.rb
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::BuyersOrganisations, type: :model do
   end
 
   it "has the correct displayed answer_options" do
-    expect(question.displayed_answer_options(FactoryBot.create(:sales_log))).to eq(
+    expect(question.displayed_answer_options(FactoryBot.build(:sales_log))).to eq(
       {
         "pregyrha" => { "value" => "Their private registered provider (PRP) - housing association" },
         "pregother" => { "value" => "Other private registered provider (PRP) - housing association" },
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/deposit_amount_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/deposit_amount_spec.rb
index cb32a7ee1..22119a733 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/deposit_amount_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/deposit_amount_spec.rb
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::DepositAmount, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when the ownership type is shared" do
-    let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 1, mortgageused: 2) }
+    let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 1, mortgageused: 2) }
 
     it "is not marked as derived" do
       expect(question.derived?(log)).to be false
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::DepositAmount, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when the ownership type is discounted for 2023" do
-    let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 2, mortgageused: 2, saledate: Time.zone.local(2024, 3, 1)) }
+    let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 2, mortgageused: 2, saledate: Time.zone.local(2024, 3, 1)) }
 
     it "is not marked as derived" do
       expect(question.derived?(log)).to be false
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::DepositAmount, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when the ownership type is outright" do
-    let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 3, mortgageused: 2) }
+    let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :completed, ownershipsch: 3, mortgageused: 2) }
 
     it "is not marked as derived when a mortgage is used" do
       log.mortgageused = 1
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/postcode_for_address_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/postcode_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
index e2a2931a9..5ba7e8505 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/postcode_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/postcode_for_address_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::PostcodeForAddressMatcher, type: :model d
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page) }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
 
   it "has correct page" do
     expect(question.page).to eq(page)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
index b6e9195e0..bb5688944 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_confirmation_spec.rb
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
   describe "notification_banner" do
     context "when address is not present" do
       it "returns nil" do
-        log = create(:sales_log)
+        log = build(:sales_log)
 
         expect(question.notification_banner(log)).to be_nil
       end
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
 
   describe "has the correct hidden_in_check_answers" do
     context "when uprn_known != 1 && uprn_confirmed == nil" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log, uprn_known: 0, uprn_confirmed: nil) }
 
       it "returns true" do
         expect(question.hidden_in_check_answers?(log)).to eq(true)
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn_known == 1 && uprn_confirmed == nil" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
       it "returns false" do
         log.uprn_known = 1
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::UprnConfirmation, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when uprn_known != 1 && uprn_confirmed == 1" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log, uprn_known: 1, uprn: "12345", uprn_confirmed: 1) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log, uprn_known: 1, uprn: "12345", uprn_confirmed: 1) }
 
       it "returns true" do
         expect(question.hidden_in_check_answers?(log)).to eq(true)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_selection_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_selection_spec.rb
index 5f7951c3d..cd23a8e9f 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_selection_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_selection_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::UprnSelection, type: :model do
   let(:question_id) { nil }
   let(:question_definition) { nil }
   let(:page) { instance_double(Form::Page, skip_href: "skip_href") }
-  let(:log) { create(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
+  let(:log) { build(:sales_log, :in_progress, address_line1_input: "Address line 1", postcode_full_input: "AA1 1AA") }
   let(:address_client_instance) { AddressClient.new(log.address_string) }
 
   before do
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_spec.rb
index fc0c5caa7..afc4e4a24 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/questions/uprn_spec.rb
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Questions::Uprn, type: :model do
 
   describe "get_extra_check_answer_value" do
     context "when address is not present" do
-      let(:log) { create(:sales_log) }
+      let(:log) { build(:sales_log) }
 
       it "returns nil" do
         expect(question.get_extra_check_answer_value(log)).to be_nil
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/discounted_ownership_scheme_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/discounted_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
index 99e861b6d..5f20cbb91 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/discounted_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/discounted_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::DiscountedOwnershipScheme, type: :model
   end
 
   context "when it is a discounted ownership scheme" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(discounted_ownership_scheme.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(true)
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::DiscountedOwnershipScheme, type: :model
   end
 
   context "when it is not a discounted ownership scheme" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 1) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 1) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(discounted_ownership_scheme.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(false)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/household_characteristics_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/household_characteristics_spec.rb
index 2557f33c6..be78f91d3 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/household_characteristics_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/household_characteristics_spec.rb
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::HouseholdCharacteristics, type: :model
   end
 
   context "when the sale is to a company buyer" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3, companybuy: 1) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3, companybuy: 1) }
 
     it "is not displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(household_characteristics.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(false)
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::HouseholdCharacteristics, type: :model
   end
 
   context "when the sale is not to a company buyer" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3, companybuy: 2) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3, companybuy: 2) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(household_characteristics.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(true)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/outright_sale_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/outright_sale_spec.rb
index cb0f9e7b3..efb2aaad6 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/outright_sale_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/outright_sale_spec.rb
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::OutrightSale, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when it is a outright sale" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 3) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(outright_sale.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(true)
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::OutrightSale, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when it is not a outright sale" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(outright_sale.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(false)
diff --git a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/shared_ownership_scheme_spec.rb b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/shared_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
index 0935ce394..59e7bfbfb 100644
--- a/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/shared_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/form/sales/subsections/shared_ownership_scheme_spec.rb
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::SharedOwnershipScheme, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when it is a shared ownership scheme" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 1) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 1) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(shared_ownership_scheme.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(true)
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ RSpec.describe Form::Sales::Subsections::SharedOwnershipScheme, type: :model do
   end
 
   context "when it is not a shared ownership scheme" do
-    let(:log) { FactoryBot.create(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
+    let(:log) { FactoryBot.build(:sales_log, ownershipsch: 2) }
 
     it "is displayed in tasklist" do
       expect(shared_ownership_scheme.displayed_in_tasklist?(log)).to eq(false)
diff --git a/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb b/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
index 75fe66833..a04e7d465 100644
--- a/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/scheme_spec.rb
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ RSpec.describe Scheme, type: :model do
     end
 
     context "when scheme has discarded_at value" do
-      let(:scheme) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme, discarded_at: Time.zone.now) }
+      let(:scheme) { FactoryBot.build(:scheme, discarded_at: Time.zone.now) }
 
       it "returns deleted" do
         expect(scheme.status).to eq(:deleted)
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ RSpec.describe Scheme, type: :model do
   describe "owning organisation" do
     let(:stock_owning_org) { FactoryBot.create(:organisation, holds_own_stock: true) }
     let(:non_stock_owning_org) { FactoryBot.create(:organisation, holds_own_stock: false) }
-    let(:scheme) { FactoryBot.create(:scheme, owning_organisation_id: stock_owning_org.id) }
+    let(:scheme) { FactoryBot.build(:scheme, owning_organisation_id: stock_owning_org.id) }
 
     context "when the owning organisation is set as a non-stock-owning organisation" do
       it "throws the correct validation error" do
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/date_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/date_validations_spec.rb
index 75907b5bc..59be2537e 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/date_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/date_validations_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::DateValidations do
   subject(:date_validator) { validator_class.new }
 
   let(:validator_class) { Class.new { include Validations::DateValidations } }
-  let(:record) { create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:record) { build(:lettings_log) }
   let(:scheme) { create(:scheme, end_date: Time.zone.today - 5.days) }
   let(:scheme_no_end_date) { create(:scheme, end_date: nil) }
 
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/local_authority_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/local_authority_validations_spec.rb
index 3b903e4dc..6344bf427 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/local_authority_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/local_authority_validations_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::LocalAuthorityValidations do
   subject(:local_auth_validator) { validator_class.new }
 
   let(:validator_class) { Class.new { include Validations::LocalAuthorityValidations } }
-  let(:log) { create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:log) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
   describe "#validate_previous_accommodation_postcode" do
     it "does not add an error if the log ppostcode_full is missing" do
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/sales/soft_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/sales/soft_validations_spec.rb
index 8ce602d36..c8e8618fc 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/sales/soft_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/sales/soft_validations_spec.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
 RSpec.describe Validations::Sales::SoftValidations do
-  let(:record) { create(:sales_log) }
+  let(:record) { build(:sales_log) }
 
   describe "income1 min validations" do
     context "when validating soft min" do
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
index 5e7705c6d..7fc4dd982 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/setup_validations_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
   subject(:setup_validator) { setup_validator_class.new }
 
   let(:setup_validator_class) { Class.new { include Validations::SetupValidations } }
-  let(:record) { create(:lettings_log) }
+  let(:record) { build(:lettings_log) }
 
   describe "tenancy start date" do
     context "when in 22/23 collection" do
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::SetupValidations do
     end
 
     context "when updating" do
-      let(:log) { create(:lettings_log, :in_progress) }
+      let(:log) { build(:lettings_log, :in_progress) }
       let(:org_with_dpc) { create(:organisation) }
       let(:org_without_dpc) { create(:organisation, :without_dpc) }
 
diff --git a/spec/models/validations/tenancy_validations_spec.rb b/spec/models/validations/tenancy_validations_spec.rb
index f5ffc05b0..a41752616 100644
--- a/spec/models/validations/tenancy_validations_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/validations/tenancy_validations_spec.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::TenancyValidations do
   let(:validator_class) { Class.new { include Validations::TenancyValidations } }
 
   describe "tenancy length validations" do
-    let(:record) { FactoryBot.create(:lettings_log, :setup_completed) }
+    let(:record) { FactoryBot.build(:lettings_log, :setup_completed) }
 
     shared_examples "adds expected errors based on the tenancy length" do |tenancy_type_case, error_fields, min_tenancy_length|
       context "and tenancy type is #{tenancy_type_case[:name]}" do
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::TenancyValidations do
   end
 
   describe "tenancy type validations" do
-    let(:record) { FactoryBot.create(:lettings_log, :setup_completed) }
+    let(:record) { FactoryBot.build(:lettings_log, :setup_completed) }
     let(:field) { "validations.other_field_missing" }
     let(:main_field_label) { "tenancy type" }
     let(:other_field) { "tenancyother" }
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ RSpec.describe Validations::TenancyValidations do
 
   describe "joint tenancy validation" do
     context "when the data inputter has said that there is only one member in the household" do
-      let(:record) { FactoryBot.create(:lettings_log, :setup_completed, hhmemb: 1) }
+      let(:record) { FactoryBot.build(:lettings_log, :setup_completed, hhmemb: 1) }
       let(:expected_error) { I18n.t("validations.tenancy.not_joint") }
       let(:hhmemb_expected_error) { I18n.t("validations.tenancy.joint_more_than_one_member") }