Due diligence6 min read
How to check a property's approvals before you pay
An approval is the line between a property you own and a problem you inherit. Here are the documents to ask for, who issues them, and the questions that tell you whether a scheme is genuinely cleared.
01
Why approvals come first
A beautiful render can hide a missing approval. Without the right sanction, a building may not be legal to occupy, to sell on, or to borrow against. The cost of finding that out after you have paid is far higher than the cost of asking first.
So make approvals the first topic of the first conversation, not the last. A developer that is confident in its paperwork will be glad you asked.
02
The documents to ask for
Ask for the title of the land, the approved layout or building plan, and the no-objection certificates relevant to the scheme. Ask which authority issued each one, and the reference number. You can then confirm them yourself with that authority rather than relying on a copy.
Ask also for the developer's earlier work. A track record you can visit, such as the homes at Dream Oaks Villas, is more reassuring than any single document, because it shows the paperwork was good enough to finish.
03
Red flags to watch for
Be careful when an approval is described as in process without a date, when you are pressed to pay before seeing papers, or when the numbers on the paperwork do not match the ones on the brochure. Any of these is a reason to pause.
When in doubt, take the documents to a lawyer you trust. For the wider picture, read about our process and what to expect at each stage of a build.
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Developments mentioned in this article
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Dream Oaks is a premium real estate builder and developer dedicated to creating lasting architectural landmarks, luxury apartments, and premium commercial hubs across the Islamabad capital region and Gwadar.
