Guide · 10 min

Due diligence for prime homes

A plain checklist of what to examine before you commit to a house.

1. 1

   Title and tenure

   Confirm who owns what, and on what terms. Leasehold, freehold and local variants behave differently.

2. 2

   Planning and permits

   Check that the building and any works are lawfully permitted, particularly pools, extensions and basements.

3. 3

   Structure and systems

   Commission an independent survey, including plant, drainage and any waterproofing.

4. 4

   Running costs

   Ask for actual staff, insurance, maintenance and tax figures, not estimates.

5. 5

   Neighbours and access

   Visit at different times of day and in different seasons if you can.