Before paying a booking deposit for a Dhaka apartment, arrange independent legal review of ownership, the seller’s authority, relevant approvals, financing obligations and the sale agreement. The checks should cover both the underlying land and the specific unit you intend to buy.
This is a preparation checklist for a discussion with your Bangladesh property lawyer and a qualified building professional. The documents and requirements depend on the property and transaction; a checklist alone cannot establish clear title or compliance.
1. Verify the seller and the chain of ownership
Ask your lawyer to review the title documents, relevant land records, property description and the seller’s identity and authority. The review should reconcile plot identifiers, boundaries, area and the ownership history using appropriate records and independent searches.
Inherited property, jointly owned land and sales through a representative require additional attention to who can legally sign. Do not rely only on photocopies supplied by a salesperson or on possession as proof of ownership.
2. Check the landowner and developer arrangement
Where the developer does not own all the land, request the development agreement, applicable power of attorney and allocation documents. Ask your lawyer to confirm which party is entitled to sell the selected apartment and associated land share.
Make sure the flat identifier, floor, parking and other allocated rights agree across the documents. A general authority to develop a site does not, by itself, answer every question about the sale of a particular unit.
3. Review planning, construction and occupancy documents
Confirm which authority has jurisdiction and which approvals apply to the project. Within RAJUK’s area, its permitting services include land use, construction, special-project and occupancy processes. Ask for the applicable documents and have a qualified professional compare the approved drawings with the actual building.
RAJUK’s published guidance describes an occupancy certificate as required after construction and before use. Confirm the current requirements and the certificate’s applicability and status for the building with the authority and your advisers.
Do not use a generic storey count as a substitute for checking fire, environmental, aviation or other requirements. These depend on the project and the applicable rules. Ask who will resolve any missing approval or deviation before you commit.
4. Check land records, tax records and property obligations
Have your lawyer examine relevant mutation records, land development tax receipts and local holding records where applicable. Confirm that property identifiers and parties are consistent. These records form part of the investigation; no single receipt or mutation entry should be treated as conclusive proof of title.
Ask for a written statement of unpaid service charges, shared maintenance commitments and other property-related liabilities that could affect the purchase.
5. Investigate mortgages, disputes and restrictions
Ask your lawyer to arrange appropriate registry and other searches for mortgages, competing transfers, litigation, restrictions and claims. A certificate or search result has a particular scope and date; it does not automatically rule out every possible issue.
If a lender has security over the property, confirm the release process directly through the proper parties. The documents should identify the specific apartment and land share, the conditions for release and the sequence of payment and registration.
6. Define exactly what the agreement includes
| Contract item | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Property description | Flat, floor, area definition, land share and parking rights |
| Price and payments | Total price, milestones, applicable charges and documented payment method |
| Specifications | Finishes, fixtures, common facilities and permitted substitutions |
| Completion and handover | Deliverables, dates, conditions and remedies for delay |
| Changes and disputes | Written approval process, cancellation terms and dispute provisions |
Have your lawyer explain the agreement before signing. Keep important promises in the contract and specifications, including obligations that must be completed before final payment or registration.
7. Inspect the apartment and plan handover
Arrange a suitable technical inspection and record defects, outstanding work, service connections and common-area issues. Request relevant drawings, warranties, access arrangements and maintenance contacts. Agree how unresolved items will be documented and addressed.
Legal review and technical inspection serve different purposes. Neither replaces the other, and a newly finished interior does not establish the condition of concealed work.
Prepare for a property discussion with AG
Bring the property location, asking price, apartment details, available documents and your purchase timeline. AG can help with your property search and transaction discussion while you appoint independent advisers for legal and technical verification. Contact AG about buying an apartment in Dhaka.
Authority reference reviewed: RAJUK’s Electronic Construction Permitting System permit categories and occupancy-certificate guidance. Requirements should be reconfirmed for the specific property before payment.