Make sure the details belong to the home you want
One entrance may serve many flats, business premises and garages. Before comparing floor areas or reading a map, check that you are looking at the home in the listing. Check the address, floor and door; if you have the cadastral reference, the code identifying the property in Catastro, compare that too.
This avoids simple but important mistakes: assigning the whole building's area to one flat, assuming a storage room is included, or using another home's documents. If something does not match, ask the agent or seller to explain.
- Check the address, floor and door before comparing details.
- Ask whether the garage and storage room are included and which documents describe them.
- Separate living space from terraces, shared areas and land.
Understand what each warning means for your purchase
A warning is useful when it helps you answer a question: what is happening, why might it matter and what should I ask? For example, part of the land appearing in a flood zone deserves attention, but does not by itself explain what might happen inside a third-floor flat.
Look for an explanation connecting the information to the home and the areas you would use: entrance, garage, garden or access routes. This helps distinguish matters requiring advice before buying from information that simply helps you understand the surroundings.
- Read the reason for a warning as well as its colour.
- Check the source and date of the information.
- Note which part of the home or building might be affected.
Separate consulted information from the seller's account
Cadastral areas, estate-agent photos and the owner's explanations can all provide useful information. What matters is knowing who says what. A photo shows a visible condition; a seller's description may need supporting documents.
If you are told that an enclosed terrace is lawful or a renovation has permission, ask which document demonstrates this. Collecting the information in a report helps organise it, but does not turn a claim in a listing into a verified fact.
- Ask who supplied the photos and documents.
- Check that the paperwork belongs to this home and is readable.
- Keep a copy of the information used for your decision.
Bring questions you can resolve during your visit
Use the report to prepare a short list of questions. Asking whether water has entered the garage is more useful than simply saying you saw a mark on a map. Request explanations and documents about anything that could change your decision or budget.
A visit also reveals things online information cannot tell you: smells, damp, indoor noise or the condition of an installation. If something worries you, arrange another visit with the appropriate professional before treating it as resolved.
- Bring discrepancies between the listing and the documents.
- Ask about known problems and repairs already carried out.
- Separate the seller's answers from matters still requiring inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Does a report replace visiting the home?
No. It helps you prepare the visit and know what to ask. You still need to see the property; questions about damp, installations or structure may require a technical specialist.
Is the same information available for every home?
Not always. Some areas have more public information than others, and some documents can only be supplied by the seller. A useful report explains what could be checked and what you need to clarify elsewhere.
Where to consult this information
These official pages help you learn more and prepare your questions.