VILLAS AND DETACHED HOMES
A villa gives freedom, but it must be checked in every metre
Garden, swimming pool, outbuildings and access: in detached homes the problems hide in the details. We look for them, before you sign.
Some of the checks that matter most for this home
- Boundaries, fences and accessWe check that boundaries and rights of way are clear and with no unexpected easements.
- Annexes and outbuildingsSwimming pools, awnings, outbuildings and extensions must appear in the documents: we check it.
- Building and land-registry complianceWe compare the actual state with the filed plans and floor plans.
- Utilities and restrictionsConnections, drains and restrictions on the area: we put them in a written report.
In any case, you will receive the 9 checks on every property: mortgages and attachments · planning and land-registry compliance · landscape, historic and municipal restrictions · condominium regularity · approved extraordinary expenses · ownership shares · unpaid condominium fees · EPC · compliance of utilities.
Why does a villa need more checks?
It has more elements (land, outbuildings, access, utilities) and therefore more ways in which the actual state can differ from the documents. Swimming pools, awnings and extensions are the classics: we compare them with building permits and the land registry before you pay the down payment.
If the home has problems, what do I risk?
The offer is conditional on the checks having a positive outcome. If the problem can be put right before the deed, the seller takes care of it (and declares it in the offer). If it can't be fixed, you can withdraw and your deposit is returned, at no cost.
How are boundaries and easements discovered?
By reading the documents carefully and doing a technical inspection: floor plans, deeds of provenance and actual state must match. If a passage is in fact over someone else's land, we want to know before you do.
Do the garden and swimming pool need to be checked?
Yes: they must appear in the documents like the rest of the home. An unauthorised swimming pool can become a serious problem when it comes to selling or applying for a mortgage.