What the inspector checks for unlicensed additions
Each common Algarve addition leaves a physical tell that a measured inspection records against the stamped plan.
Enclosed terraces varandas fechadas
Different material or construction quality at the junction with the main wall; check for water ingress.
Extended rooms and living areas
Footprint pushed past the plan, with a visible construction joint; measure and compare with the planta carimbada.
Pool bars and BBQ structures churrasqueiras
Lightweight foundations and outdoor electrical circuits that need a separate safety check.
Annexes and converted outbuildings anexos
Often absent from any registered plan; assess structural adequacy, damp proofing, and fire safety of the conversion.
Prefabricated and modular units
A fast-growing problem on rural land; check for foundations, service connections, and any planning record.
The method
The inspector measures the exterior footprint of the main building and every ancillary structure, then compares each against the planta carimbada and the descrição predial. Anything present but absent from the plans is flagged. InspectOS reports the physical observation; the legal remedy is assessed by a lawyer or the Câmara.
Source: Barlavento (A. Rathenau, Mar 2025); Azul Properties; InspectOS field methodology.