Miss one and the right dies

The hidden defect clock after purchase

1

Discovery of the defectday zero

The buyer finds the damp. Proving it predates the sale is the buyer's burden (Código Civil Art. 342.º); a dated pre-purchase report is the instrument.

2

Denúncia to the sellerwithin 1 year

Written notice of the defect must reach the seller within one year of discovery (Art. 916.º, n.º 3).

3

Court action filedwithin 6 months

The action must follow within six months of the denúncia (Art. 917.º).

4

Absolute limit5 years from handover

A hard cap of five years runs from the handover of the property, whatever the discovery date.

The 30-day figure circulating online does not apply here. It comes from Art. 1220.º and governs works commissioned from a contractor (empreitada), not the purchase of an existing home.
Sources: Código Civil Arts. 342.º, 913.º, 916.º, 917.º, 1220.º · DL 10/2024