Published 4 min read
Apartment Buying Due Diligence in Bangladesh: Documents and Checks Before You Pay
Due diligence is the set of checks you carry out before committing money to a property. It is the single best way to avoid disputes, delays and losses. This apartment buying due diligence checklist covers what to verify before you pay a booking amount for an apartment in Bangladesh. It is general guidance, not legal advice: always have the documents reviewed by an independent property lawyer.
Verify the Land Ownership
Most apartment projects in Dhaka are built on land owned by a landowner who has signed an agreement with a developer. Ask to see copies of the title documents for the land and the record of rights (land records can also be looked up on the government land information portal), and check that the names match from one document to the next. Your lawyer can search the relevant land offices to confirm there are no disputes, mortgages or competing claims on the land.
Check the Approved Building Plan
Ask for a copy of the approved building plan and compare it with what is being built and what is shown in the brochure: the number of floors, the number of apartments and the layout of your unit. If the brochure says G+7, the approved plan should say the same. Any difference is a question to raise before you sign.
Read the Landowner and Developer Agreement
The agreement between the landowner and the developer decides which apartments belong to the developer and can be sold. Ask whether the apartment you want is in the developer's share. This prevents the risk of buying a unit the seller does not have the right to sell.
Research the Developer
- Confirm the developer's registered company name and that it matches the name on your agreement.
- Visit completed and ongoing projects to see the quality of their work.
- Ask how they report construction progress to buyers.
- Ask about after-sales service once you move in.
On our website, each project page names its developer. For example, KHURSHID LODGE and MARYAM LODGE are developed by Xavier Holdings Ltd, and Avalon Zafar Palace by Avalon Properties Ltd.
Confirm the Apartment Details in Writing
Write down the facts you were told and check that the sale agreement repeats them exactly:
- Apartment number, floor and facing
- Apartment size and how it is measured
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and verandahs
- Parking space allotted to you
- Total price and the full payment schedule
- Expected handover date
- Specifications: lift, generator, fittings, finishes and utilities
Compare these against the project page. For example, the MONIR TOWER page lists 10 storeys, 18 apartments, a land area of 10.1875 katha, 14 car parking spaces in basements 1 and 2, and completion in June 2027.
Understand the Payment Terms
As part of your apartment buying due diligence, ask what happens if a payment is late, if handover is delayed, or if you decide to cancel. Pay only through traceable bank channels to the developer's company account and keep every receipt and acknowledgement.
Check Utilities
Ask which utility connections will be provided at handover, such as electricity, water and gas, and whether the connection costs are included in your price. Project pages for the Uttara lodges list electricity, natural gas and water among their utilities; confirm the arrangements for your unit in writing.
Plan for Registration
Ask the developer and your lawyer to explain the registration process and its costs, and when it will take place. Make sure the apartment and its share of land are registered in your name, and collect all original documents.
Apartment Buying Due Diligence Checklist
- Land title and record of rights checked by a lawyer
- Approved building plan matches the project
- Apartment is in the developer's share
- Developer identity and track record confirmed
- All apartment details written in the agreement
- Payment, delay and cancellation terms understood
- Utilities and handover date confirmed
- Registration process and costs explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this apartment buying due diligence checklist legal advice?
No. It is general guidance. Always have the documents reviewed by an independent property lawyer.
How do I know the developer has the right to sell the apartment?
Read the agreement between the landowner and the developer, and ask whether the apartment you want is in the developer's share.
How should I pay the booking amount?
Pay only through traceable bank channels to the developer's company account, and keep every receipt and acknowledgement.
For more on choosing the right home, read our guide to buying property in Bangladesh. For questions about any Xavier Holdings project, call +8809610969620 or email hello@xavierholdingsltd.com.
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