Before you pay any money other than a reservation deposit, your lawyer will get the following information from the Land Registry.
• Who owns the property and has the right to sell it.
• If there are debts against it. For example, a mortgage or court judgement. Also, if the seller is up–to–date with the community fees and property taxes.
• If there are sitting tenants in the property.
• If it is subject to any special rules such as subsidised housing.
• For new homes, if insurance is in place to cover structural defects.