Build a like-for-like shortlist
Start with the same neighbourhood, bedroom count and approximate area. Compare the recorded sale prices, then look at the exact building, floor, outlook, condition and tenancy.
A district’s typical price is a starting point. It does not tell you what a particular apartment is worth, and an old transaction does not mean a home is available now.
Ask for the apartment’s own documents
- Ownership documents and confirmation of the seller’s authority.
- The plan and recorded area for the exact apartment.
- Current service-charge statements and any outstanding amounts.
- Parking allocation and any associated rights.
- Existing tenancy documents and the proposed handover terms.
Use DLD’s property status enquiry as one official check. Ask your appointed professional to confirm the documents and explain any restrictions before you commit.
Budget for acquisition and ownership
Request an itemised estimate of transfer and registration costs, professional fees, financing costs where relevant, insurance, repairs and ongoing building charges. Confirm current amounts for your own purchase rather than applying a headline percentage to every case.
Our service-charge guide helps you collect the figures needed for an annual ownership budget.
Inspect, then decide
Visit the apartment and communal areas. Consider an independent condition inspection and ask for written answers about defects, repairs and handover. A brochure photograph or a similar unit cannot establish the condition of the home you are buying.
Independent guidance to help you prepare questions. Confirm the requirements and costs for your own circumstances with the relevant provider.