Six things we check before we list a property at all

We work with fewer properties than we could. The reason is simple: part of what is offered on the market is not in a state where it can be bought with peace of mind.

Here is what we check before we list anything.

1. The title deed

We obtain it ourselves; we do not rely on what the owner shows us. We check ownership, area, charges and any annotations.

If there is a mortgage, it must be clear how it is discharged and at which stage of the transaction.

2. Occupancy permit

Mandatory for new builds. Without it the building is not legally complete and transferring ownership becomes complicated.

For older buildings we check whether legalisation has been carried out and what stage it has reached.

3. Whether the actual and registered states match

It happens that an apartment is thirty square metres larger than what is registered, because a terrace was enclosed without notification. That becomes the buyer's problem, not the seller's.

We measure and compare against the documentation.

4. Access

We check whether the access road is publicly owned or crosses someone else's plot. In the latter case there must be a registered right of way.

This is a frequent problem with houses and land outside the town centre.

5. What can be built in front

The view is part of the price. So we look at the planning document for neighbouring plots and check whether the thing you are buying for can be built out within three years.

If it can, we tell you before you ask.

6. Debts

Utilities, the building's reserve fund, municipal charges. We check that there are no unpaid obligations that pass to the new owner.

Why we do this

Because it is cheaper to turn a property down than for a buyer to discover six months later a problem we could have seen at the start.

If something on this list is not in order but the property is still interesting, we tell you openly and give you an estimate of what it costs to resolve.