Real Estate Law · European Union
Check Before You Commit:
Property Due Diligence That Protects Your Money
The asking price is only part of the story. A property can hide debts, disputed boundaries, planning violations and legal claims that surface only after you own it. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who runs a full due diligence review in your target country.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
Due diligence is the gap between what a listing promises and what the law actually delivers
Property due diligence is the investigation you carry out before committing to buy, so you understand exactly what you are acquiring — not just the building, but every debt, restriction and obligation attached to it. It typically covers verifying who legally owns the property, checking the land register for mortgages and liens, confirming that extensions and renovations have the proper permits, and reviewing any community charges, taxes or tenant rights that transfer with the property. For buyers abroad, it also means confirming the rules that apply to foreign ownership and the true costs of the transaction. Skipping this step, or relying on a seller’s assurances, is how buyers end up owning problems they never saw coming. We match you with a lawyer who carries out due diligence in your target country, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.
Why buyers miss the risks
The danger in a property purchase is almost never visible.
It is buried in records you have not checked.
Debts, missing permits, boundary disputes and tenant rights can all attach to a property — and none of them appear in the photos.
Debts and liens attached to the property
A property can carry mortgages, unpaid taxes, community charges or court-ordered liens that follow the property rather than the seller. Without a register check, you could inherit obligations you never agreed to take on.
Unregistered or illegal building work
Extensions, pools and conversions built without the right permits can be ordered removed or fined years later, and may be impossible to insure or mortgage. A listing rarely mentions that the ‘extra room’ was never legalised.
Boundary and access disputes
Unclear boundaries, shared access rights or disputes with neighbours can be a source of years of conflict and legal costs. These rarely appear in the seller’s description and only surface once you try to use the land.
What you get
A lawyer who uncovers the risks before your money is committed
We only match you with property lawyers who run due diligence in your target country on a regular basis.
Ownership & title verification
Your lawyer confirms who legally owns the property and whether the seller is entitled to sell it, so you don’t hand money to someone who cannot actually transfer the title.
Liens, debts & charges search
A thorough check of the land register and local authorities for mortgages, unpaid taxes, community debts and court liens that would otherwise follow the property into your hands.
Planning & building status
Your lawyer verifies that the property and any extensions match their permits and planning status, protecting you from future demolition orders, fines or a refusal of insurance.
Clear written risk report
You receive a plain-English summary of what was checked, what was found and what it means — so you can proceed, renegotiate or walk away with confidence.
Coverage
Due diligence lawyers across Europe
Land registers, permits and local charges are administered nationally, so the right lawyer is one who knows exactly where and how to check in your specific country. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Property due diligence — common questions
What is property due diligence?
Due diligence is the legal investigation carried out before you buy, to confirm ownership and uncover debts, restrictions, planning issues and any other problems attached to the property. It lets you decide with full knowledge rather than on the seller’s word alone.
What does a due diligence check include?
It typically covers verifying ownership, searching the land register for mortgages and liens, confirming permits for any building work, reviewing outstanding taxes and community charges, and checking for boundary or tenant issues. The exact scope depends on the country and the property.
When should due diligence be done?
Ideally before you sign a binding purchase contract or pay a non-refundable deposit, so any problems found can still be negotiated or walked away from. Many buyers arrange a lawyer to start the checks as soon as they are seriously interested in a property.
Can I do due diligence myself?
In theory you can request some public records, but registers, permits and local charges vary by country and are often in the local language. A lawyer who works in that jurisdiction knows where to look and how to interpret what they find, which is hard to replicate from abroad.
What happens if due diligence finds a problem?
It depends on what is found. Some issues can be resolved by the seller before completion, others justify renegotiating the price, and some mean you should walk away. Your lawyer will explain the practical options for each finding.
Is due diligence worth the cost for a small purchase?
Yes — the cost of a check is usually small compared with the price of buying a property that carries a debt, a planning violation or a title defect. For most buyers, it is the cheapest insurance against a very expensive mistake.
Free case review
Know exactly what you’re buying before you commit
Tell us about the property and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who runs due diligence in your target country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to instruct them.