How to check a developer before buying

Author: RealtyTM Team Verified Updated: 04 AugustAugust8 2026 · 3 min read

Buying a flat on the primary market is often a transaction at an early stage of construction, or even before it begins. That is why the developer's credibility matters enormously. A reliable firm is a guarantee of timely delivery and solid quality.

In this article we show, step by step, how to check a developer before signing the contract. We explain where to look for information about the firm's condition, how to assess its experience, and what safeguards protect the buyer.

Key takeaways

Checking a developer limits the risk of problems with timeliness and the quality of the investment.
It is worth verifying the court register, the history of completed projects and residents' opinions.
The buyer safeguards are key, including the escrow account and the information prospectus.
Analysing the legal status of the land and the building permit is the basis of a safe purchase.

Why verification matters

When buying a flat from a developer, you entrust them with significant funds, often before the building exists. An unreliable firm can delay the investment, lower the quality or, in extreme cases, fall into financial trouble. Verifying the developer is a way to limit this risk before signing the contract.

Checking takes some time, but compared with the value of the transaction it is an investment that can protect you from serious problems. The more you know about the firm, the more confident the decision you make.

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Registration and financial data

Start with the National Court Register, where you can check the firm's legal form, the composition of the board, its capital and any notes about proceedings. It is worth reviewing the financial statements, if available, to assess the developer's condition and stability.

Note how long the firm has been operating on the market and how many projects it has completed. A developer with many years of experience and a portfolio of finished investments is usually a safer partner than an entity with no history.

Investment history and opinions

Check the developer's earlier projects. Visit completed estates, talk to residents and ask about timeliness, workmanship quality and how defects were remedied. Opinions on the internet should be treated with caution, but recurring signals of problems should raise your guard.

Note whether previous investments were delivered on time and whether the standard matched the promises in the sales materials. This is the best test of a firm's reliability in practice.

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Buyer safeguards

The developer act provides mechanisms protecting buyers, above all the escrow account into which buyers' payments go. Check what type of account the developer offers and read the information prospectus, which contains key data about the investment and the firm.

Also verify the legal status of the land in the land and mortgage register and the building permit. Make sure the developer has the right to dispose of the property and that the investment is being carried out in accordance with the regulations. The Developer Guarantee Fund provides an additional layer of protection for payments.

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Summary: a reliable partner is the foundation

Checking a developer is not overcaution but common sense. Registration data, investment history, residents' opinions and an analysis of buyer safeguards together create a full picture of the firm's credibility. Devoting time to this verification is the best way to ensure that buying a flat on the primary market goes safely.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I check a developer's data?

The primary source is the National Court Register, where you will find the legal form, the board and notes about proceedings. It is also worth reviewing the investment's information prospectus, the land and mortgage register of the land, and the firm's publicly available financial statements.

What is an escrow account?

It is an account into which buyers' payments go and from which the developer receives funds in line with the progress of work or after the investment is completed. It protects buyers' money in case of the developer's problems. It is worth checking its type before signing the contract.

What does the information prospectus provide?

The information prospectus contains key data about the investment, the land, the schedule and the developer's situation. It is a document the firm is obliged to make available. Reading it carefully lets you assess the risk and compare the offer with the actual legal status.

How can I assess a developer's experience?

Check how many years the firm has operated and how many projects it has completed. Visit earlier estates, talk to residents and assess timeliness and quality. A rich and positive investment history is the best proof of a developer's reliability.