House surverys

Share experience regarding ownership of property and/or living in Portugal.
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johnhughes
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Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:14 am

House surverys

Post by johnhughes »

In the Uk, it is common practice to have a survery undertaken on a property before buying. Is this also the norm in Portugal?. Even if the property is not going to be mortgaged, is it common to get a survey done ?
BONDI
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Re: House surverys

Post by BONDI »

it is not common to get survey done unless you are getting a mortgage then banks will only lend on survey and valuation. but the way things are changing with town planners and planning laws woulod strongly recommend a FULL STRUCTURAL survey as this will pick up any unauthorised building works and do remember lawyers dont usually check building side of things when doing the conveyancing as we done in the U.K.

It is a must to check the original building permit ALVARA planning approvlas granted when the property was built and check on amy modifcations to make sure there was planning approvals granted for this.

usual survey will cost about 800 euros.

Bondi
shanagarry
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Location: Craigweil-on-Sea

Re: House surverys

Post by shanagarry »

When we bought our property 9 years ago, we assumed the lawyer would undertake a site visit - wrong - bet we didn't know that.

Sometime later when I asked an architect to advise us on enlargement and refurbishment, he showed me plans that did not have the garage adjoining our house on them. Standing in our drive was and still is a properly constructed garage - you guessed it - it was illegal.

The lawyers reaction 'you never told me it was there'. We have since made it legal - and have learned a very valuable lesson into the bargain. Take nothing at face value - nothing - and then check again.
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