Condition, layout, inclusions, defects, services and any relevant building or pest reports.
Investment Property Due Diligence
INVESTOR RESOURCES
Investment Property Due Diligence
Move from marketing material to verified information with a structured review of the property, documents, location and ongoing obligations.
FHP field note · reviewed 10 October 2026
Review status: the evidence register is the product
The register remains current because it records source and status. Planning, title, building and tenancy evidence must still be obtained for the exact jurisdiction and property.
- Record the source and review date beside every transaction-specific input.
Primary sources used for this reviewNSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer · Queensland planning framework and mappingChecked 10 October 2026. Government rules, thresholds and property information can change. Confirm current eligibility and transaction details with the authority, lender and relevant licensed advisers before acting.
Due diligence is evidence, not reassurance.
Due diligence is the work of checking what you are actually buying and what may affect ownership. The exact investigations depend on the property, state, contract and your circumstances, so use this as an organising framework rather than a substitute for professional advice.
Contract, title, disclosures, approvals, strata records and conditions requiring legal interpretation.
Planning, local supply, amenity, environmental considerations and factors affecting use or demand.
What must be independently checked
01
Confirm the listing facts
Verify the address, price, availability, inclusions, land or internal areas and what is represented by images or plans.
02
Inspect and investigate
Arrange the inspections and reports appropriate to the property type, age, condition and proposed use.
03
Review the legal position
Have an independent legal professional explain the contract, title, restrictions, deadlines and risks.
04
Check the ownership plan
Confirm finance, insurance, property management, expected costs and the evidence behind rental assumptions.
Next evidence for investment property due diligence.
Evidence register
Assign every important question an owner, source and status.
A due-diligence checklist becomes useful when it records evidence rather than ticks. Copy this structure into a spreadsheet and retain the document or written response supporting each conclusion.
| Question | Evidence | Reviewer | Status rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| What title and restrictions apply? | Current title search, deposited/strata plan, easements and covenants. | Conveyancer or solicitor. | Unresolved until explained in writing. |
| What exactly is included? | Contract schedule, inclusions, plans, specifications and variations. | Legal adviser and buyer. | Marketing material alone is insufficient. |
| What is the physical condition? | Appropriate inspection reports, photographs and defect records. | Qualified inspector. | Cost and response recorded for material findings. |
| Are approvals and use consistent? | Council/planning records and relevant approvals. | Appropriate planning/building professional. | Do not infer approval from physical existence. |
| What shared obligations exist? | Strata records, budgets, minutes, levies, insurance and by-laws where relevant. | Strata reviewer/legal adviser. | Known and proposed liabilities separated. |
| What supports rental expectations? | Dated comparable evidence and a property-specific appraisal. | Local property manager. | Estimate, not guaranteed income. |
| Can finance and insurance proceed? | Written conditions, valuation position and insurance quotes. | Lender/broker and insurer. | Pre-approval is not treated as unconditional approval. |
| What remains unknown? | Open-question log with deadline and consequence. | Buyer coordinates. | Unknowns remain visible; they are never scored as favourable. |
FHP evidence labels: mark each item Verified, Estimate or Unresolved. Also record the source date, because availability, prices, approvals, rental evidence and finance conditions can change.
Official starting points
- MoneySmart: property investment — Australian Government guidance on costs, risk and property-investment decisions.
Investment Property Due Diligence: questions to resolve
Is a new property exempt from due diligence?
No. New property has different checks, including contracts, plans, inclusions, delivery and developer or builder information.
Can an agent or seller replace independent advice?
No. Their role and interests are different from those of your independent advisers.
What if information is missing?
Treat the gap as unresolved. Ask for the document or evidence and understand the consequences before proceeding.
General information only. This page does not provide personal financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Property information, prices and availability can change. Verify the current position and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances before making a commitment.
Open the evidence register before committing.
Create the evidence register before deadlines compress the time available for independent checks.
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