Who checks what: the physical condition gap
Every risk category in a Portuguese purchase, and which professional covers it
Risk category
Lawyer
Notary
Agent
OE Inspector
Legal title and ownership
✓
✓
✗
✗
Charges and mortgages
✓
✓
✗
✗
CPCV terms and conditions
✓
✗
✗
✗
Direito de preferência
✓
✗
✗
✗
Structural integrity
✗
✗
✗
OE only
Moisture and water ingress
✗
✗
✗
OE only
Electrical compliance (RTIEBT)
✗
✗
✗
OE only
Unlicensed works detection
✗
✗
✗
OE only
Licensed vs. actual footprint
✗
✗
✗
OE only
MEP systems condition
✗
✗
✗
OE only
Since Decreto-Lei n.o 10/2024 (January 2024), the notary no longer performs even a basic physical compliance check at the escritura stage. The OE inspector is now the only professional in the transaction who checks the building itself.
Sources: Lei n.o 15/2013, de 8 de fevereiro · Decreto-Lei n.o 10/2024, de 8 de janeiro · Ordem dos Engenheiros professional competency framework · RTIEBT